High Peak Liberal Democrats
RESIDENTS are calling for part of a £600,000 investment into cycle safety to be spent on training - rather than just new paths and junctions.
Last week Liberal Democrat Under-Secretary of State for Transport, Norman Baker, announced the cash windfall to improve roads in Long Eaton.
Much of it will be spent replacing the roundabout at the Green, in Long Eaton, with a traffic-light junction.
New cycle lanes are also expected to be provided along Derby Road.
However, although the funding has been secured, the exact details of how it will be spent have not been finalised and consultation is only in the early stages.
Local Liberal Democrat chairman Martin Garnett said: "New money for safer cycling is excellent news. The Green is a particularly difficult area for cyclists, but I will await sight of the plans to see if they really will be convenient for cyclists as well as safer. Hard engineering is insufficient on its own.
"We also need better training for cyclists and better awareness of them by other road users, to really make things safer."
Members of cycling campaign group Pedals would also like to see some money spent on training.
Spokesman Hugh McClintock said: "We think that training is as important as new road layouts.
"If there is money available cycle training courses should always be considered."
The road improvement scheme is made up of £400,000 of government money and £200,000 from Derbyshire County Council.
The Liberal Democrats are placing great emphasis on Long Eaton's traffic problems in their county council election campaign and have issued a warning to the planners of this project.
Ian Neill
Petersham ward candidate Ian Neill said: "The Green is in a conservation area and any development should be made in a sympathetic manner, incorporating modern traffic control methods but retaining the heritage and character of the town.
"We strongly welcome the investment, but we urge Derbyshire County Council to engage in proper consultations with residents."
Cyclist Jane Oseman of Douglas Road, Long Eaton, criticised the existing cycle lanes. "A cycle journey along Derby Road can be a heart-stopping roller-coaster ride, being shaken to the bones by the rough surface, having to swerve into the traffic to avoid parked cars and then having to face the hazards of the Green.
"I am delighted that this money has been made available but I want the council to consult residents properly to improve traffic conditions at the Green without damaging a key feature of the town's heritage."
A Derbyshire County Council spokesperson said: "As we would with any scheme like this we're currently consulting with the borough council, cycle groups and other relevant organisations to decide the best way to take this project forward."
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