THE cycle crashes on a short section of the new Vogue Gyratory cycle lane are bad news for the poor cyclists who were injured.

I was there in my role of one the community reps on the Lewes Road project steering group when I saw one happen in front of me.

Talking to the cyclist confirmed what I thought which was the kerb was not obvious to most users and the white line implied that the surface was flat.

It is good that the Brighton and Hove City Council has acted extremely quickly to sort out the situation by replacing the white line with double yellow lines (which are used at other raised sections of cycle lanes at the Vogue) and added a small tarmac ramp along the kerb.

There seem to have been no reported crashes since this was done, which implies that the problems have been resolved.

The issues at this small part of the Vogue Gyratory project should not mean that the other major benefits are ignored.

Improvements to the Gyratory have been discussed for many years and it is good that these have finally happened.

As well as benefiting cyclists, the scheme is good for pedestrians who can finally cross the exit from Sainsbury’s without being obstructed by cars.

The scheme also helps bus passengers as the Route 25 bendy buses can now stop at Sainsbury’s which they could not before.

Drivers are also helped since the new signals mean that traffic flows from Upper Lewes Road and cars turning right by the BP garage no longer clash.

I moved to Brighton in 1984, just as the Vogue Gyratory was being built. I’m pleased that after 30 years this poorly designed junction is finally being improved.

Mark Strong, Community Transport Rep