I am not a cyclist - I am a driving instructor spending many hours on the roads around Kendal.

I would like to know who on earth is responsible for the insane idea of widening the pavement on Burton Road so cyclists can share it with pedestrians. What a complete utter waste of money, almost on a par with the ridiculous" design" of the cycle way from Gooseholme to New Road.

On Burton Road the 'design' requires a cyclist, travelling to ASDA from Kirkbie Kendal school, to join the shared cycleway/footpath at the roundabout. That cyclist will then need to potentially give way at the exit from the leisure centre and give way again at the entrance to the leisure centre and then be extra careful of the pedestrians on the pathway down from the leisure centre to the zebra crossing before they then reach the point near the canal path where they are then expected to cross a usually busy Burton Road, using the central reservation having had to give way at each side.

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They then proceed on the far side of the road having once again to give way at Helme Close, Helme Chase Gardens, and the two ends of Helme Drive before finally having to cross the road near the roundabout to get to the Asda entrance.

And of course the cyclist must be wary of pedestrians gazing intently at their phones or being oblivious to their surroundings while listening to the latest music through noise cancelling headphones. And don't forget the dogs on extendable leads. There maybe a white line painted to separate the pedestrians from the cyclists (and as you know this works ever so well in other locations!).

On the other hand they could stay on the road and have the priority past all of these give way points and only have to potentially stop at the traffic lights before proceeding without any hindrance to Asda.

So why would anyone think a cyclist would choose the pavement option over the far easier option of riding alongside motorists who, in general, are more aware of cyclists sharing their space than a pedestrian?

All the 'clever design' will achieve is to result in a narrower road width for cyclists and drivers to share. The road was previously more than wide enough to allow motorists to clearly see cyclists and give ample room when passing them.

You only need to look at the cycle lane/footpath sharing over Stramongate Bridge. The same ridiculous crisscrossing of the main road is expected from the cyclist who, coming from Gooseholme, is expected to cross a zebra crossing (after dismounting), then get back on the bike and ride on the shared cycle lane/pavement until they get over the bridge where they then need to stop at the Toucan crossing and wait for the lights to change so they can then cross back over the main road to join the cycle lane at the other side of Stramongate and follow the pavement round a blind corner at the point where a zebra crossing meets the pavement.

Again the net effect of the cycle lane being added here is that cyclists generally understandably just stay on the road, which is now far to narrow on the bridge for motorists to safely pass those cyclists.

And finally why has the Burton Road work taken so long - particularly the latter stages which have seen little progress over many weeks, leaving motorists struggling with queues caused by the narrowing of the road at the traffic lights?

The road edges have been left unfinished with cones in the holes, making the road even narrower. The lane direction markings at ASDA roundabout have been left unpainted for months.

Anyone unfamiliar with this will see the sign for Endmoor etc and remain in the left lane (locals aware of the usual lane markings will use the right lane). I have written to County Highways several times (the first time in March) asking why these have not been reinstated but they still remain unfinished.

I hope I am completely wrong and the cycle lane keeps cyclists, pedestrians and motorists separated and safe - I seriously doubt that will be the case.

Glyn Jamieson

Kendal