London’s ‘thinnest cycle lane’ slammed as ridiculous and branded ‘a gutter’

What could well be the thinnest cycle lane in London has been slammed online as “ridiculous”.

The Church Road cycle lane is on a bridge above Richmond train station and is so narrow that people have labelled it a “gutter”.

The tweet from @velostefan sarcastically says “love this cycle lane” with a video of the cyclist angling alongside cars.

But the council said it has drawn up plans for over £1 million of walking and cycling improvements in the posh town subject to funding.

One Twitter user called David, said: “It’s not a cycle lane, it’s for the council to claim they have xx miles of cycle lanes.

“There should be legislation around dimensions. As this [is] clearly not safe, it also gives drivers an excuse to drive close and encourages bad driving behaviour.”

Another Twitter user said: “So the passengers stressed they’ll miss the train and don’t look opening their door onto the cycle lane.”

Daniel Burges said on Twitter: “I never, ever, cycle in that ‘advisory’ cycle lane over the railway bridge – it’s far too narrow.

“Was nice to see it get resurfaced recently though, it also used to be a pot-hole-strewn nightmare.”

Twitter-user Robert Johnson added: “For me it just needs removing completely and a sign with ‘do not pass cyclists’ or similar. Cyclists will filter as they are comfortable either way.”

Deryck Gilham said:” That’s not a cycle Lane that’s a gutter that is.”

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Anne Ramsey called the cycle lane “ridiculous”.

But Keith Aldred said: “[It’s] just not feasible unless they widen the bridge or make it one way.”

A spokesperson from Richmond Council, said: “The council has drawn up outline plans for over £1 million of walking and cycling improvements in Richmond Town Centre which includes this section of road. This is subject to funding.”