Residents ‘taking their lives in their own hands’ after ad board left in cycle lane
By Joe Coughlan, Local Democracy Reporter
A cycle lane in a busy main road has been painted around an advertising board – leaving riders feeling like they are “taking their lives in their own hands”.
The board, run by BT and Global, was put up in Woolwich Road, Greenwich some time ago.
But since then, Transport for London (TfL) has narrowed the pavement and installed a cycle lane in the street – but its location means the board now encroaches into the path of cyclists.
Matt Deane, who only recently moved to East Greenwich, said it was “dumb”.
He said: “If you had two people, one coming this way and one coming that way, it would get very tight around this area.”
BT and Global have begun steps to move the board and expect for the work to be done within two weeks.
In October, people in East Greenwich said drivers in Woolwich Road “ignored” red lights and often “abused” pedestrians.
Resident Anna Mocchetti said the board was placed where it is because the cycle lane in Woolwich Road was moved last year, with the board remaining in the same place as when it was on the pavement.
She said: “It’s bad, it cannot stay like that. It’s dangerous for me with my kid when we need to cross to get the bus. So I have to look carefully because I may not be able to see a bicycle coming.”
A BT spokesman said: “The Street Hub was installed in this location before changes to the road layout which have adjusted the route of the cycle lane.
“Clearly due to these changes this site is no longer appropriate.
“We were made aware of this issue and have already begun steps to move it to a new more suitable location in light of the new layout. We expect the work to be complete within the next two weeks.”
The cycle track is owned and managed by Transport for London (TfL).
TfL and Global were approached for comment.
Pictured top: Matt Deane, a local of East Greenwich, shown in front of the advertising board on Woolwich Road (Picture: Joe Coughlan)