Cycle lane plans branded dangerous due to “cars reversing into road” from driveways – but council simply tells drivers to be “on the lookout for cyclists and pedestrians”

Plans for a new shared cycling and walking path in Essex have been criticised by a local Conservative councillor, who claims residents have raised concerns about reversing out of their driveways onto the path and putting cyclists and pedestrians “in danger”.

However, in response to the complaints, the local authority simply advised drivers to be “on the lookout” for anyone using the proposed infrastructure, “as they do currently”.

The planned path will link Brentwood and Havering by widening the existing footway along the A1023 Brook Street/London Road to create a shared cyclist and pedestrian path, which will connect with an existing on-street cycle route and other new active travel provision in the area.

Until recently, it was only possible to walk or cycle between Brentwood and Havering via the busy Brook Street roundabout, with cyclists and pedestrians forced to navigate an uncontrolled crossing on a slip lane leading onto the M25.

After a new safer crossing at the roundabout was recently installed, Essex County Council turned its attention to improving the route from the junction, along the A1023 and towards Brentwood Railway Station and the town centre.

According to the local authority, the scheme “will help provide a safer and much-improved route, encouraging and supporting more people to walk and cycle, particularly for shorter journeys”, while facilitating connections with future active travel projects.

Earlier this week, the county council signed off on the plans and the funding, which will be provided by National Highways.

However, at that meeting concerns were raised about the prospect of cyclists riding downhill on the path on London Road, with one councillor warning of the apparent safety risks posed by residents reversing out of their driveways onto the path.

> Controversial cycle lane wands go viral as furious residents lash out at “blocked” driveways, but local cyclist suggests outrage “overblown” and bike lane bollards only necessary because drivers park in it

“I’ve never had any indications whatsoever from anyone in relation to mitigating the concerns I have. And they still stand,” Will Russell, the Conservative group leader at Brentwood Borough Council, told the meeting, EssexLive reports.

“The dangers of someone coming down London Road on a bicycle where you have cars reversing into London Road. That still stands. I have had several residents contact me about it, saying that they think it’s awful and you don’t normally get that.”

In response to Russell’s concerns, a spokesperson for Essex Highways said: “This scheme will create a safer and much-improved route along Brook Street/London Road. It will support more people to walk and cycle, particularly for shorter journeys.

“The scheme is funded by National Highways and will involve widening the existing footway to create a new shared-use path along the A1023 Brook Street/London Road. It will also provide a number of new and improved crossings.

“Signs and markings will be included at various points to make it clear it is a shared facility and intended for both cyclists and pedestrians. Road safety audits have also been carried out and we are accommodating the recommendations.

“As they do currently, drivers should be on the lookout for any cyclists or pedestrians when entering or exiting their properties.”

> “It’s a safety issue”: New cycle lane blocks driveways and kerbs are “too high”, residents claim… but council insists “ample visibility” and tells drivers “to be suitably careful of all road users when accessing their property”

Of course, Brentwood isn’t the only place where residents have raised concerns about cycling infrastructure intersecting with their driveways and forcing them to watch out for people on bikes.

In November 2024, a cycle lane in the Dorset seaside town of Poole made national newspaper headlines after upset locals claimed they had been “blocked” in their driveways by wands installed to segregate the route from traffic.

One furious Wimborne Road resident Debbie Woodcocks called the wands “ridiculous”, said they are “doing more harm than good”, and claimed that “you can’t just reverse out fast any more”.

“Some can’t get out of their driveway,” she said.

“It’s bad enough cycle lanes have been put there. Trying to reverse out now takes a lot longer and it’s a lot harder. You can’t just reverse out fast any more, the council has made it more difficult now.”

However, in response the local authority said the wands will create a safer environment for people using the bike lane, preventing drivers from blocking the bike lane with parked cars, while others from the town questioned the “overblown” outrage.

Last January, concerns were also raised about a recently installed cycle lane in Cheltenham, some residents claiming the design left their driveways hard to access, amounting to a “safety issue”.