CYCLISTS are unhappy after part of the Eastern Flyer route running alongside Oxford Road was dug up.

Becky Cox is a member of the Swindon Cycle Campaign and says she was both flummoxed and annoyed when she tried to use the route, only to find work going on and no alternative provided.

She said: “I was riding with my 17-month-old son on the back of the bike and I wanted to use the Eastern Flyer as I know it’s a good route.

“I got to Oxford Road when I found the cycle path had been dug up for roadworks, for the White Hart roundabout I assume.

“What was most annoying is that there was no alternative provided. There was a just a sign saying: ‘cyclists dismount’. It’s a busy road so I wasn’t going to ride in the road with my son on the back of the bike.”

Becky said she knows the area so was able to find a route using nearby side streets but not only was there no alternative provision made – there were no signs to another route.

She posted pictures of the path completely dug up and unusable to the cycle campaign’s Facebook page and wrote: “Swindon’s flagship Eastern Flyer cycle route. How can the council claim to promote cycling when they provide absolutely no alternative during roadworks? Cyclist dismount signs are not suitable as not everyone can dismount and walk.”

She added: “People who use adapted bikes to get about sometimes are not able to dismount and walk and push their bike, and you never see a sign saying to motorists they should get out and push when the road is being dug up.

“To dig up one of your main cycle routes and not even try to provide any alternative just shows the council is not prioritising cycling and walking as much as it says it is or should be.”

“I’ve emailed SBC requesting at the very least that the alternative parallel route along residential streets is signposted.”

Agreeing with Becky’s Facebook post was Bill Redgewell.

He commented: “The Oxford Road is a classic example of the lack of commitment for cycle routes in Swindon.

“Whoever thought that sharing a footpath with pedestrians and cyclists and the motorists who think it’s ok to park there has clearly never ridden a bike.

“The general condition of cycle routes and roadways is a nightmare throughout the country.”

A Swindon Borough Council spokesperson said: “Oxford Road is currently undergoing an upgrade as part of the White Hart junction scheme, helping to create extra capacity at this key junction.

"Unfortunately this could cause some disruption to cyclists but the Eastern Flyer cycle route has not been closed.

“Rubber mats have been laid on the grass verges on the south side of Oxford Road to provide temporary access. The cyclist dismount signs are advisory and have been installed as a precautionary measure to assist with pedestrian and site worker safety.

“An alternative route has also been created with signage going up from May until the end of July.”