ANGER among motorists in York is growing following the loss of a filter lane at Clifton Green to make way for a cycle route.
The left-hand lane, which allowed cars to turn left from Water End towards Shipton Road, was given over exclusively to cyclists following a recent extensive revamp of bike lanes in the area.
However, motorists and taxi drivers say the loss of the lane has caused a bottle-neck at the lights and has vastly increased journey times.
Taxi driver Gordon Bakal said: “There’s definitely a hold-up because of it. Where it used to go into two lanes you would have cars in that lane and they would clear.
“Now when the filter light goes green and no one wants to turn left, then you all have to wait.”
He described the new layout as “ludicrous”, adding: “I understand there’s a need for cycle lanes for safety, but we pay the road tax and our road has been taken away for the sake of cyclists.”
Fellow taxi driver David Greensmith said the changes had doubled his journey times.
“Now when you come out of Salisbury Road it’s nose-to-tail all the way back to Boroughbridge Road. It’s an absolute joke,” he said. “I don’t know what they were thinking.
“I have been taking people via Shipton Road, but it’s maybe putting an extra £1.50 on the fare and they don’t like that.”
Margaret Barker, a resident of nearby Ousecliffe Gardens, said: “My husband has an allotment on Boroughbridge Road and he said it used to take him a matter of minutes to get home but now it takes 20 to 30.”
The cycle lane, which continues along the path on one side of Water End towards Boroughbridge Road, is part of the Cycling City York initiative, which includes the creation of a cycling route network throughout the city.
Ruth Egan, head of transport planning at City of York Council, said the previous road layout had insufficient room for cyclists to safely reach the cycle lane and advanced stop line.
She said: “The Clifton Bridge/Water End scheme is one section of a comprehensive network of cycle routes that will enable residents to get across the city by bike.”
York cycling campaigner, Paul Hepworth added: “Less cars on the road means more space for those who need to use a car rather than those who want to use one.”
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