A PETITION calling for the removal of new cycle lanes has gained more than 6,000 signatures.

Julia Reed from Findon in Worthing says the temporary cycle lane under construction on the A24 through the town centre is an “unbelievable” scheme which is “putting people off” travelling in the area.

The 54-year-old who works for the NHS said: “There was this money dangled in front of the council to implement this scheme and it had to happen quickly, so none of the usual consultation took place.

“Normally it takes several years and is subject to stages of public consultation.

“I think it’s very unfair to plant this cycle lane in the middle of Worthing and expect people to go ‘this is fine’.”

Julia has launched a petition calling for West Sussex County Council to remove the cycle lanes, which run from the Grove Lodge area through the town centre.

Bollards separate the two lanes in Broadwater Road from the traffic and the scheme was funded by the Government to provide more space for cyclists amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Funding for the scheme was granted in June by the Department for Transport, at an estimated cost of £107,300.

So far Julia’s petition to reinstate the two lanes back to motor vehicles has gathered 6,266 signatures

She said: “The petition is not against cyclists. It’s the size, location and the congestion it’s causing.

“A lot of businesses are trying to get back on their feet and they see it as another nail in the coffin as people won’t even think about going through the town centre now.

“A journey which would normally take ten minutes needs an extra 30 minutes on the A24 route.

“I understand cycling should be encouraged but this is so extreme. It’s unbelievable.”

Julia believes the number of cyclists who will use the route is not enough to warrant the size of the lanes.

She added: “They’ve been given half the carriageway. Next week is going to mayhem when the schools go back.

“What we want to know is how long we have to endure this. The council has said it is temporary but they have not said how long it will be in place – it could be another six months.”

A West Sussex County Council spokesman said: “The temporary cycleways are part of the Government’s national Emergency Active Travel Fund (EATF) initiative, which aims to create space for active travel and allow for people to cycle rather than use the car.

“As an emergency response, the seven trial schemes in West Sussex had to be planned and installed within three months and this meant consultation on the detail was limited and included emergency services, bus operators and the district and borough council.

“Once fully installed and open we will be encouraging cyclists to experience the Worthing cycleway for themselves. It will be closely monitored and this will be the chance for would-be cyclists to show how much they want the cycleway to stay. It will be a case of ‘please use it or risk losing it’.”