Contraflow cycle lane in Plymouth rendered useless by drivers parking in it

A cyclist says that a contraflow cycle lane in Plymouth has been rendered useless by motorists parking in it.

The popular route, which allows cyclists to ride against the flow of motor traffic on an otherwise one-way street, links the Plym Woods to other parts of Plymouth and Plympton.

But cyclist Ceri Carter told Plymouth Live that it’s impossible to ride in the lane on Longbridge Road due to the motor vehicles parked there, forcing cyclists to move out into oncoming traffic.

She said that during the working week there are usually five or six vehicles parked there illegally and that the situation is worse at the weekends – when, moreover, there are more cyclists around.

She said that despite notifying the council and police on a number of occasions, no action seems to have been taken against motorists parked there.

And while it is a mandatory cycle lane, delineated by a solid white line that drivers must not cross, she is calling for double yellow lines to be marked on it so motorists know they cannot park there, similar to those on the contraflow cycle lane pictured above.

She told the website: "I have lived here for five years and it's been going on the whole time," Ceri said. Last year, I got so fed up I decided something had to be done about it.

"So I phoned up the council, thinking it would be a piece of cake getting them to put in double yellow lines down the road.

"But I was told that it was a police matter. I went to them, and they said they needed the approval of the council. It's just dragged on and on – someone needs to be something about this."

She added: "The lives of cyclists are being put at risk. Lots of people are aware of it – they just have to work around it, there's nothing they can do about it."

Labour councillor Mark Coker, who is in charge of strategic planning and infrastructure at Plymouth City Council, said that he had not been aware of the problem but would highlight it to colleagues.