Businesses on Linthorpe Road have welcomed the removal of Middlesbrough’s controversial cycle lane, with one trader describing the scheme as a “disaster from the start”.
The cycle lane, introduced in 2022, had faced ongoing criticism from some business owners who complained about how it reduced parking and restricted access along the busy town centre route.
Josh Peplow, manager at Skins and Needles, said he was “overjoyed” when he heard the lane would be taken out.
“The cycle lane was a disaster from the start. It affected lots of local businesses and reduced
parking significantly,” he said. “We had nowhere for staff or customers to park for long term stays, which stopped people from coming down Linthorpe Road.”
He said he fully supports the decision to remove it.
“Emergency service vehicles were slowed down by narrow road layout, and the lane was barely ever used. There were also ongoing accidents around the bollards that went on for longer than they should have.”
Peplow added that he believes businesses were not properly consulted before the scheme was introduced.
He said: “Decisions like this that affect local businesses need to take our views into account. From our understanding, a lot of businesses didn’t opt in for the cycle lane to be built, and we didn’t feel like our voices were listened to.”
The removal of the cycle lane follows months of debate over its impact on trade, road safety and accessibility along one of Middlesbrough’s main commercial streets.
