VANDALS have sprayed their demand for more cycle lanes on roads in a town centre.

Graffiti appeared in Lewes High Street, including a makeshift “cycle lane” painted on the road surface.

The markings come as East Sussex County Council chiefs discuss whether new lanes should be made available.

Businesses and residents have been asked for their views after Prime Minister Boris Johnson revealed cash is available to boost cycling.

The paint in Lewes included a stencil of a bicycle and a space for cycles to stop at the junction with Fisher Street and Station Street.

Meanwhile around the corner in Market Street someone has scrawled “more cycle lanes”.

The graffiti has been condemned as dangerous by the council, and Lewes Liberal Democrat councillor Philip Daniel said he does not support the illegal defacing of highways.

He said: “I am very much in support of improved cycling and walking facilities in Lewes.

“In making use of the Government’s new grant funding I am urging the council to give full consideration to the access issues for elderly or disabled people, and to recognise the challenges faced by local businesses on Lewes High Street (School Hill) and elsewhere as they try to recover from the Covid-19 lockdown.

“The interests of all parties require a balance to be struck.”

He said a motion was supported by Lewes Town Council last month.

East Sussex County Council said: “We would never condone the use of graffiti on the roads, it is illegal and potentially dangerous.

“We are currently working on emergency active travel measures to improve social distancing in the centre of Lewes. This has been the subject of local consultation in recent weeks with those directly affected by the proposal.

“This is an extremely challenging time for businesses trying to recover from the impact of the Covid-19 crisis. As a county council, our priority is to support those businesses in their recovery.

“The Government has instructed us that Emergency Active Travel Fund measures must be in place by early September, which has limited the amount of time we have to consult.

“We have written to businesses and residents where are proposing temporary measures and asked them to let us know if the measures will have an effect on them.”

The authority said feedback on the travel plans will help decide which schemes go ahead.

It could mean parking bays are closed in the short term to make way for cycle lanes, but the authority said it needs to balance sustainable transport with the needs of town centre businesses after the coronavirus lockdown.

The council cabinet member for transport will decide on plans on August 17.