Residents in a New Forest village have slammed Hampshire County Council after they claim a ‘poorly planned’ cycle lane has ‘ruined’ the area and caused safety issues.

In October 2023, work started to install a cycle lane and pedestrian crossing on Beaulieu Road in Dibden Purlieu.

What ensued was nine months of road works that residents say resulted in grid-lock and traders said led to losing huge profits.

Angry locals have claimed that since the work was finished, the area is more dangerous than ever before.

The cycle path is not clearly marked on either side of the road and a crossing has been placed between three busy junctions and a petrol station, leading to a number of near miss accidents, they say.

(Image: NQ) Janice Chalmers has lived in the village since 1958 and said: “Hampshire County Council have ruined the village with all these unclear cycle markings.

“When the school kicks out the children take up all the path and cyclists have nearly taken them off their feet.”

Cllr Malcolm Wade represents Dibden & Hythe.

He said: “I have been a county councillor since 2013 and prior to that a district councillor since 1991 – in all those years I have never had so many complaints as I have about this cycle lane.

“So many people have written to me with their complaints.

“I have to agree with them: the scheme was poorly planned and badly executed resulting in us being left with a number of issues.”

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John Lawrence has lived in Dibden Purlieu since 1976 and is a keen cyclist. He is also a longstanding member of the Waterside Action Cycling Group.

He added: “One of our members is so worried of the dangers across this stretch of road he gets off and walks his bike through the area.

“This scheme has absolutely made it more dangerous for both drivers and pedestrians – our group did make recommendations to HCC before, during and after their consultation.”

(Image: NQ) Dibden Purlieu resident Steph Osborne said: “We have seen accidents happen due to the number of junctions, the position of the traffic light, and the cycle lane markings.

“It’s like the council just threw it all together – prior to that we had a traffic island and that worked really well.”

A spokesperson for Hampshire County Council said: "The local cycling group and residents have been actively involved throughout the implementation of the cycle lane to ensure the route meets the needs of all users.

"The Beaulieu Road section is part of the Eling to Holbury cycle route improvement scheme.

"On completion, the entire route will be subject to a post-completion review and monitored to identify any areas where additional improvements may be needed."