Cycle lanes recently installed on major roads in Harrow have been described as “dangerous” by some of the borough’s councillors.

Cllrs Sachin Shah and Stephen Greek were among those to criticise new measures in their wards as they called on the council to rethink its cycling strategy.

Harrow Council installed cycle lanes in Honeypot Lane, Queensbury, Sheepcote Road, Greenhill, and Uxbridge Road, Harrow Weald, last month as part of its ‘Streetspace’ programme.

Using funding from Transport for London (TfL), Streetspace projects seek to encourage active travel and reduce the reliance on cars in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

However, Cllrs Greek and Shah told a special transport and road safety advisory panel on Monday (August 10) that some of the cycle lane schemes have been poorly received.

Addressing the lane in Uxbridge Road, Cllr Greek said it has been “crudely installed” and will “increase traffic issues” along the road.

He added it is “not safe for cyclists”, particularly when it comes to their relationship with buses who would need to cut across the lane to access stops.

“I don’t see this as a good use of taxpayers’ money,” he said.

Cllr Shah expressed similar concerns about the changes in Honeypot Lane, which he said are encouraging drivers to use side streets as rat runs.

“Cycle lanes are a good thing if they are designed properly – but here we have a bad cycle lane,” he said.

And he suggested it will not encourage people to get on their bikes due to the dangers attached.

However, Anoop Shah, of Harrow Cycling Campaign, said his group is fully behind the proposals and called for further upgrades and extensions to the new lanes.

He said the move towards active travel is an “urgent issue” and one which has been highlighted further by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Mr Shah expressed concerns about people “switching to driving” as they look to avoid using public transport in the wake of the outbreak.

He called for the “reorganisation of road space” to support cyclists and pedestrians through schemes such as the ones trialled by the council.

“It’s important for the future of Harrow and getting more funding that the council shows it is committed to active travel,” he added.

The council intends to create a further lane in George V Avenue, Hatch End, though this is subject to review following concerns raised by Nower High School around the impact on staff parking.