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Warning graffiti appears on Nottingham cycle lane near tramline

Council brands unofficial safety warning ‘essentially vandalism’

One local cyclist has resorted to spray paint to express their feelings about a controversial cycle route near tramlines in Nottingham. Directly beneath the bicycle symbol on the asphalt, they have added the words “unsafe bike lane.”

The words appear on Chilwell High Road, the stretch of road to which Broxtowe MP Anna Soubry was recently referring when she suggested it was only ‘a matter of time’ before a cyclist was killed.

Soubry has called for clear signage telling cyclists to dismount and suggested that rubber inserts be added along this part of the tram route.

While acknowledging safety concerns, Neil Hodgson, Nottinghamshire County Council's service director for highways, told the Nottingham Post that the homemade safety warning was ‘essentially vandalism.’

"The county council is aware of safety concerns from local cyclists using High Road, Chilwell/Chilwell Road, Beeston and has therefore been working with all interested parties, including local cycling groups, to better understand these concerns and how they may be addressed.

"This work is ongoing but additional warning signs have recently been put up advising cyclists to take extra care along this section of road. The county council does not encourage anyone to make a point in this fashion, which is essentially vandalism."

In a rather more colourful graffiti-based bid to draw attention to road safety issues, a campaigner known as ‘Wanksy’ has been known to paint penises on the road in a bid to draw attention to potholes. “I want my work to be destroyed,” he has said. “I like it when it gets dug up and replaced with fresh tarmac.”

Alex has written for more cricket publications than the rest of the road.cc team combined. Despite the apparent evidence of this picture, he doesn't especially like cake.

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10 comments

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kie7077 | 8 years ago
0 likes

Cars can have problems with the tracks too  3

http://www.nottinghampost.com/Trams-delayed-car-track-Nottingham/story-2..."

 

 

 

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Bob's Bikes | 8 years ago
5 likes

I think the statement from Broxtowe MP Anna Soubry  saying that "cyclist dismount" signs should be placed on a DESIGNATED CYCLE PATH sums up her complete and utter lack of understanding.

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Milkfloat | 8 years ago
3 likes

I think it is fair to argue that the real vandalism is the design of the cycle lane/road/tram interface.

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severs1966 | 8 years ago
2 likes

Council highways departments don't care if bike riders are killed. Where did anyone get that idea?

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cczmark | 8 years ago
3 likes

Whilst I don't support or condone such action, the spray painter is correct. I wrote over a year ago highlighting the design at this tram stop was not fit for purpose and suggested 5 possible mitigations, none of which have been carried out.

My predication was a cyclist would be seriously injured, which unfortunately has proved to be accurate.

More recently some warning signs (much too high) have been placed but the fundamental design issues remain.

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80sMatchbox | 8 years ago
0 likes

Wanksy! I didn't see that coming..

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Ush replied to 80sMatchbox | 8 years ago
2 likes
80sMatchbox wrote:

Wanksy! I didn't see that coming..

You did that twice. The first one may have been premature?

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80sMatchbox | 8 years ago
2 likes

Wanksy! I didn't see that coming..

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Accessibility f... | 8 years ago
6 likes

Of course to the council, damaging infrastructure they've paid for (with our money) is more important than fixing infrastructure that damages the people whose money paid for it.

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PaulBox | 8 years ago
1 like

Neil, focus on what's important here!

 

Feking local authorities... Wanksy should start doing it to their foreheads.

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