A cyclist forced to take a detour alongside 60 mph lorries due to a tollbridge closure has slammed an authority for its lack of planning.

Fiona Robinson of St Gregory's Close in Deal says "nothing" has been done to cater for cyclists ahead of the three-month closure of Sandwich Tollbridge for essential maintenance.

The 58-year-old who makes the 45 minute journey on her e-bike from Deal to Pegwell Bay to sing in a choir twice a week says she is forced to ride alongside 60mph traffic on the Sandwich Bypass, from the Ash Road roundabout to the Monks Way roundabout.

Not only is there no protected bike lane or signs warning of cyclists, she says riders also have to cross the traffic twice, to access the correct side of the road and then join a designated cycle path towards Thanet.

She told KentOnline : "Why didn't Kent Highways plan for cyclists?

"The repair was planned last autumn, and a shuttle bus has been arranged for pedestrians, but almost nothing has been done for cyclists. It's quite astonishing.

"I ride along the Sandwich Bypass, with lorries passing me at 60 mph, no protected bike lane, not so much as an orange cone to protect us.

"This is terrible, and if a cyclist is injured or killed, I and other cyclists will be joining up to sue the council.

"They should have realised what a vital link it is for us, months ago. We can't swim the Stour with our bikes!"

Sandwich Tollbridge closed on September 21 and should reopen on December 5.

During the closure, vehicles are diverted along the A256 and a shuttle bus is operating daily from 6am until midnight from the Guildhall to Willowbank.

Mrs Robinson contacted the authority with her complaint last Wednesday but as of last night said only one red sign warning of cyclists was in place while another yellow sign had blown over.

She also described how a parked car on the bypass on Monday had put cyclists at extra risk, as they were forced to pull out into the road around it.

She said: "It's been a week and the situation isn't much better.

"The Ash roundabout has some signs up, but the Monk's Way roundabout has no signs at all, so drivers don't know that cyclists are crossing.

"I've been told they've ordered four signs but that's still not enough. There's six junctions on the route.

"I wear fluorescent clothing and flashing lights but it's very dangerous."

A Kent County Council spokesman said: “Provision for cyclists was considered when the works to refurbish Sandwich Toll Bridge were being planned.

“Unfortunately there isn’t a viable alternative route of cyclists so the normal diversion route for cyclists is the same as for vehicles.

“To make the A256 route as safe as possible for cyclists, the A256 carriageway hardstrips were swept between Ash Road and Monk’s Way roundabouts to remove any debris and signing to warn of cyclists was put up in advance of the Ash Road roundabout.

“We appreciate some cyclists may still not be comfortable using this roundabout to turn from Sandwich towards Ramsgate - crossing the southbound A256 approach as a pedestrian be remounting may be a preferable option to these cyclists.

“These measures were reconsidered during the week before the works started following comments from cyclists and additional signs were put on the A256 between Ash Road and Monk’s Way roundabouts in both directions to draw driver’s attention to the possible increased use by cyclists.

“Temporary signs have been positioned in the short term and these will be replaced with reflective signs as soon as we are able.

“In addition, the pedestrian shuttle bus we are operating between the Guildhall on New Street and Ramsgate Road at the junction with Willow Bank via an additional stop serving Discovery Park will carry bikes subject to there being sufficient room.

“The shuttle bus is running between 6am and midnight Monday to Sunday with the Discovery Park stop served 6am and 7pm Monday to Friday.”

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