CYCLISTS claim Traffic management measures in Blackburn Town Centre are out of gear with Government guidelines.

Members of the Cycling Campaign for East Lancashire base their protest on the National Cycling Strategy requiring every local authority to produce a Local Cycling Strategy by 1999.

Among areas that CyCEL claim would break the guidelines are;

The Eanam, Whitebirk and Brownhill roundabouts where CyCEL say the width of carriageway, entry and exit roads could have been reduced in favour of cycle lanes.

A lack of specific facilities for cyclists off the carriageway.

Traffic calming measures which are difficult for cyclists to avoid.

Bus lanes which do not take cyclists into account.

Cycling lanes which are inadequate.

And a complete lack of cycle tracks.

Spokesman Robin Field said: "Blackburn Council seem oblivious to the existence of the Government's new National Cycling Strategy which requires every local authority to produce a Local Cycling Strategy by 1999.

"Although Hyndburn, for example, is well on with its strategy, the development services department at Blackburn just does not want to know. We have been unable to discuss it with them."

However, a spokesman for Blackburn Council said they acted as agents for Lancashire County Council with regard to cycling matters.

But he added: "We have managed to secure Single Generation Budget money in our own right for the cycling route through Bank Top.

"Until the change to a unitary authority, we will continue to act on behalf of the County Council.

"After that we will continue take notice of the needs of cyclists."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.