RESIDENTS living near a controversial cycle lane are celebrating after councillors voted to progress with its removal.

Labour and Conservative representatives joined forces on Wednesday to oust the Old Shoreham Road cycle lane after a consultation found it was unpopular.

Two lane on the arterial route were turned in cycle lanes overnight in May last year amid the height of the pandemic.

"We residents would like to say thank you for listening to us and acting on our concerns," said resident Ann Tizzard.

"As locals, why were we not consulted when this was put in? This are our homes, our children breathing fumes from traffic jams.

"It feeling to us like it was 'like it or lump it'."

Information about the route, and other lanes across the city, was presented to councillors ahead of this week's key meeting.

The report included traffic monitoring data, which showed there had been no decrease in average traffic speed on the road. However, residents say this is not the case.

Patricia Weller said: "I'm not anti-cycle lanes, only ones which are not thought out and are not working.

"We've invited councillors to hear our concerns but we have been told they're busy."

Both residents praised Hangleton and Knoll representatives Dawn Barnett and Nick Lewry for their support.

The Conservative councillors are also celebrating after plans to impose a no right turn restriction into Stapley Road were scrapped after a petition signed by 660 residents.

"They put it in overnight, so they should remove it overnight," said Cllr Barnett.

Cllr Lewry added: "We're celebrating the fact we're getting rid of these cycle lanes.

"Totally the wrong place for them and no residents were consulted."

The lane was fiercely defended by Green councillors ahead of Wednesday's vote.

Councillor Jamie Lloyd said it was important for councillors to “take on board the point about hearing children’s voices”.

He said: “If you want to listen to the voices of children on the Old Shoreham Road bike lane, read the emails. All those children who are using it to get to school, and their parents, who would otherwise be driving.

“They’re the voice. Listen to that. Don’t do this.”

In a last-minute pitch to get councillors to change their minds, Green transport lead Amy Heley read out an email from a Hove Park resident who cycles two miles to school each day with their nine-year-old daughter.

They said: “She really enjoys riding her classic Raleigh Chopper bike and singing while pedalling along. She is very proud of the independence it gives her as well as the comments from other riders and schoolmates about her bike.

“It is only because of the cycle lane that cycling to and from school has been possible as both my wife and I would not feel comfortable navigating the traffic while trying to guide our daughter as well.”