Cyclists criticise Glasgow City Council over 'dangerous' Dumbreck Road cycle lane

A pop-up cycle route on Dumbreck Road has seen protective barriers removed with no warning - meaning cars are being driven head on into the cycle lane.

Cyclists expressed alarm that the two-way route was suddenly no longer segregated and said it left people on bikes at risk of being "mown down".

Glasgow City Council was alerted to the problem by councillor Christy Mearns and has now put temporary cones in place.

A spokeswoman said the sturdier barriers would be returned in due course.

But cycling groups hit out at the blunder.

Iona Shepherd, campaigns lead for GoBike, said: "Removing the physical protection from this short lane and leaving the paint in place made the road layout terrifyingly dangerous for people on bikes who had become used to the pop up lane being there, and who continued to follow the road markings.

"They were faced with being mowed down by oncoming traffic, while drivers now had no indication that they were approaching a painted two way cycle lane."

Cyclists pictured on Dumbreck Road near entrance to Pollok Park and M77 Picture: Colin Mearns

It's not the first time the cycle lanes have come under fire.

Last July we told how the route was causing controversy as it sent cyclists headfirst into dual carriageway motorway traffic.

The pop-up cycle route was one of many around the city put in place during the pandemic as part of Spaces For People to encourage people to cycle for commuting and leisure.

It was designed to make it easier for people to travel between Pollok Park and Bellahouston Park during lockdown.

Following a road traffic accident, the cones identifying the route to drivers were taken away and never replaced.

The route was dubbed too dangerous to keep - but then enhanced safety measures were put in place.

But for days painted road markings sent cyclists into oncoming motorway traffic.

Iona slammed the council for moving the Spaces For People lane and said Pollok Park is currently crammed with cars.

She added: "The Spaces for People lane that had been quietly removed, without consultation, and contrary to agreed council procedure, was the only physical protection there was for people cycling to any of the entrances to Pollok Park.

Cyclists pictured on Dumbreck Road near entrance to Pollok Park and M77 Picture: Colin Mearns

"This is a park currently overflowing with cars, and one that desperately needs active travel routes added to it, not removed.

"The lane has been reinstated after swift intervention by Councillor Christy Mearns, but it shouldn't have to take a fuss and councillor intervention to rectify what the council claim to be a mistake.

"It remains to be seen just how such a glaring mistake could have been made.

"This was a serious safety issue and is an embarrassment to a council signed up to a climate emergency in the city due to host COP26 this year."

A council spokeswoman said: “During planned work to replace contractors’ barriers with our own, the pop-up cycle lanes were temporarily without segregation after a set of barriers at the location were unfortunately uplifted in error.

"As soon as we became aware, measures were put in place to rectify the situation in the short-term, with the return of the barriers to follow.

"Whilst Spaces for People measures are temporary in response to Covid-19, we have previously agreed that all short-term infrastructure implemented under the programme should be evaluated with a view to making them permanent where possible, and with full local consultation."