Maybe people don’t like Levelling Up after all…
Today’s dose of local internet comes from Folkestone (congrats to them) where readers of Kent Online seem baffled by the installation of a segregated cycle lane and new zebra crossings at the Radnor Park roundabout, close to Folkestone railway station.
Folkestone and Hythe District Council, which facilitated and coordinated the upgrades, describe the end result as a “significant improvement” due to the better signage and accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists. To be honest, we’re inclined to agree.
The new layout was, admittedly, rather steep, costing £3 million but funded through central government’s Levelling Up scheme rather than local council tax. And despite not yet being finished, residents are out with their proverbial pitchforks…
“100 feet of cycle lane that leads to no where [sic], how was that and a new flower bed 3 million quid” wrote Paul Stannage. The answer, we think, is that it leads safely to the other side of a busy roundabout but hey ho.
“It’s totally worked for me. This green initiative ensures that I now drive around in ever increasing circles to get from a to b by avoiding it!” Carolyn Uden added.
Fears seemed centred on the raised kerb that was installed to segregate the cycle lane from vehicle traffic, though Kent County Council, which actually installed the infrastructure, say they have yet to receive any complaints. Despite this, residents told Kent Online it was “downright dangerous” and an “accident waiting to happen”.
“It is dangerous, I’ve nearly gone into the raised cycle parts and not because im a crap driver lol. There was no need for them.” Paula Kinsley said.
And finally, Andy Mulls wrote that the infrastructure was a “poxy waste of money like all of the building works…those kerbs will cause major accidents in the dark especially”.
We’ll believe it when we see it…