NEWLY repainted bicycle lanes in Christchurch Road in Boscombe have been branded "unusable" by a cyclist due to the number of cars parked on double yellow lines.

The busy route was closed for several weeks from late February to late March for the road to be resurfaced.

During this time, the council repainted and widened the previous cycle lanes at the side of the road and added new large bicycle markings in the middle of both lanes of the road between Browning Avenue and the Christchurch Road roundabout.

A cyclist who regularly uses the road said: “The road originally had some pretty lacklustre cycle paths on there, then when they did the resurfacing they put a nice new road down, they remarked up the lanes and added the new bike symbols.

“But the majority of the time, those bike lanes are just rammed full of cars, so they're unusable. Ironically, you get forced into the middle of the road position because of those cars in those lanes. It's kind of an impossible situation for anyone who's using a bike.”

“If cyclists can't use the cycle lanes they’re then forced into the middle of the road which then brings them into conflict with vehicles.

“Some drivers have the opinion that 'oh why are you in the middle of the road', even though you’re allowed to be there, it's frowned upon.

“If it's safer for cyclists to take the middle of the road, then they absolutely should and they should prevent anyone overtaking because if you don't, you're going to get killed.”

The cyclist says the majority of people parking in the cycle lanes are only there temporarily but it still causes problems. They said reporting the incidents had done little to help the issued

He said: “From what I’ve seen most of it is delivery drivers or people just stopping to get groceries, so there's no need for them to be there. There's a load of parking around the back of that area, they're just not using it. It's utter laziness.”

“There's been no real enforcement from the police. You've got the the Dorset Operation Snap, but I’ve never seen any action off the back of anything I've submitted, so there's no real downside for them doing it.

“If I pass that way. I’ll phone in and tell the council that a car is parked there and can they send someone to come and ticket it and that's basically your only recourse, but again personally I've never seen them turn up as a result of that.”

A BCP Council spokesperson said: "To ensure road safety, maintain access to properties, support businesses and keep traffic flowing, BCP Council’s parking enforcement team carries out regular patrols on all roads in the area as often as possible.

"Vehicles that are seen to be parking in contravention of a traffic regulation order illegally may receive a Penalty Charge Notice.

"If a resident does see a vehicle parking illegally, please call 01202 128900, where we will endeavour to send a patrol to the area as quickly as possible. If you wish to make a general enquiry please email parking@bcpcouncil.gov.uk or visit bcpcouncil.gov.uk/Parking/Report-an-illegally-parked-vehicle.aspx”