Plans to rip out the controversial Linthorpe Road cycle lane in Middlesbrough have been unveiled.
A four-week consultation is set to be launched this week on plans to reinstate the road’s previous layout while retaining the closure of Victoria Street.
The lane has seen major backlash since it was completed in 2022, following a string of pedestrian accidents and concerns over lack of custom from businesses.
The issues prompted the replacement of some of the raised rubber dividers on the lane with upright poles months later in November 2022.
Both Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen and Middlesbrough Mayor Chris Cooke previously pledged to remove the cycle lane, with Mr Houchen saying “it needs to go” earlier this year.
Now, a timeline has been drawn up following the consultation outlining plans to remove the lane.
The consultation will last until the start of September and - after the feedback is taken into consideration - the current plan is for a statutory consultation to take place in Autumn.
Subject to a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) being granted, work would then start in December with the overhaul set to be completed in early 2025.
The cycle lane - which cost £1.7m to install - was funded through a £310m transport pot distributed by the Tees Valley Combined Authority (TVCA).
The scheme was approved under former Independent mayor Andy Preston - with Mayor Cooke later saying the fees to get rid of the lane were a “necessary cost”.
Cycle lane ‘should never have happened’
Mayor Houchen said the cycle lane “simply hasn’t worked” and said teams are determined to get spades in the ground to rip it out.
He said: “We’re all for improving how everyone gets around Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool but the Linthorpe Road cycle lane simply hasn’t worked and should never have happened.
“It’s been a pain for businesses, hasn’t improved life for cyclists or pedestrians, and it needs to be removed.
“We’re making big changes through the Development Corporation and having local businesses and TS1 residents behind us is absolutely essential.
“We’re all agreed that the status quo simply cannot remain, and I’m determined we see spades in the ground to get this out before the end of the year.”
Mayor Cooke noted how the scheme had been unpopular with “many people” and said he had assurances there would be “no impact on Middlesbrough Council’s finances”.
As previously reported, the authority was late last year battling to plug a multi-million pound funding black hole.
Mr Cooke said: “I pledged to get rid of it before I was elected and am pleased we have now reached the point where the TVCA can pay for its removal in full, including the costs of putting the road right.
“We’ve had assurances there will be no impact on Middlesbrough Council’s finances – that is massively important given our wider responsibilities to the town.
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“Lots of positive things are happening in our town centre and it’s vital that we listen to the people of Middlesbrough – it’s their town and on big changes like this we need their backing.
“In the longer term, we need to work closely with TVCA on making sure we have a transport system that’s suitable for everyone and plays its part in protecting the planet.
"We need fit-for-purpose solutions that we can encourage people to use.”
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