IN defence of the appalling traffic-calming scheme in Great Harwood, a spokesman for Hyndburn Borough Council claimed it was introduced so that "vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists are less at risk" (LET, October 17 and 22).

This is not true - at least as far as cycling is concerned. The sub-standard cycle lanes were added as an afterthought and are too narrow to be of any use. We told the engineers when we saw the plans that kerb build-outs are very dangerous for cyclists and would stop many using the main road.

This is precisely what has happened, and at the very time the Government is insisting that local authorities introduce measures to double cycle use!

The scheme breaches government guidelines and should never have been passed. We hope now it will be removed or modified to make it more cycle-friendly, although the history of Harwood Road, Rishton, does not fill us with confidence.

The Council has had several complaints about the danger and plain absurdity of the measures down at the bridge but have yet to do anything about it.

ROBIN FIELD (Cycling Campaign for East Lancashire), Livingstone Road, Blackburn.

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