Drivers have been left fuming after it was announced work on a controversial cycle lane will not be complete until May.

Work has started to improve cycle facilities along Old Shoreham Road between Brighton and Hove Sixth Form College and the junction of The Drive and Shirley Drive.

The first phase of the road works on the £455,000 scheme will continue until December 21 and be suspended over Christmas and New Year.

But it will then restart on January 3 and last until May.

One angry commuter, Paul Lewis, says the time it takes for him to get to work has more than doubled since the start of the works.

He said: "They have already caused much disgust here.

"It could spark a revolution; they have no justification for blocking off so much of the road in the manner they have done for the sake of laying some pointless cycle lanes.

“It smacks of an attitude which says we are green, and we have the power to punish you for daring to use the road, and we will.”

Others have taken to Twitter to vent their ire.

One driver said it was idiotic to close off so much of the road.

The scheme includes creating a dedicated cycle lane, safety improvements to the junctions and aims to increase safety for students at nearby schools.

Adam Pride, from cycling campaign group Bricycles, said he welcomes the new facilities but questions why would take so long.

He said: “We certainly approve of the cycle lane but it does seem an awful long time to put them in.

“I cycled down Old Shoreham Road and there certainly was quite a lot of congestion with long tailbacks.

“They are only a metre and a half wide.”

Councillor Ian Davey, Brighton and Hove City Council’s cabinet member for transport, said:“We want to create legible and safe cycle lanes which link to existing routes and facilities and really improve everyone’s experience of moving around the city by bike.”

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