New seafront cycle lanes have been branded a "waste of money" by confused residents.

The "shared space" lanes installed along Westcliff Promenade are part of a £27,000 project that has seen improvements made to a 19-mile stretch of cycle routes along the Thanet coast.

The new lanes are intended to "promote respect between cyclists and pedestrians".

But the costly project has been met with criticism from residents who say it "looks awful" and is "a waste of time and money".

Previously, cyclists and pedestrians navigated their own way along the wide Westcliff Promenade.

But the new scheme has seen two dedicated cycle lanes painted on the ground and the rest of the promenade marked as a "shared space for all".

The council says the shared space sections are to make people "aware that the space will still be shared by pedestrians and other users such as children cycling or scooting".

Meanwhile, the two dedicated lanes are intended for cyclists travelling in different directions – with one for those travelling west-east and the other for those going east-west.

'Slow' markings have been installed at various places along the route, indicating cyclists are approaching a crossing point.

But the lanes – which contractors are yet to mark with arrows indicating their directions – have left many scratching their heads.

One resident said: "If the 'shared space' is for everyone, then why put the cycle lanes next to it?"

Another said: "Bad strategy. This has been a simple shared space for over 100 years. This cycleway will encourage cyclists to ride faster which is dangerous in this location. Better to leave it unmarked and provide 'slow' signs."

Some have praised the "shared space" idea, with one resident saying: "This is so common and so effective on the continent. It just takes a bit of courtesy on both sides. People soon settle into this and it’s better to encourage more cycling."

But others branded it "unnecessary", adding that the previous unmarked pathway had been "OK for years".

One commenter said: "What a waste of time and money. A blot on the landscape. Health and safety gone mad yet again. Who on earth comes up with these sort of ideas?"

Another said the lanes are "an eyesore and a waste of money".

The lanes form part of a cycle safety improvement project that has been carried out along the 19-mile coastal route from Reculver to Pegwell.

Elsewhere on this stretch, new cycling safety signage has been put up.

Thanet District Council and Kent County Council each contributed half of the £27,000 funding needed for the project.

A TDC spokesman said: "A project led by Thanet District Council with match-funding by Kent County Council has seen 19 miles of our coastline benefit from new cycling safety signage, to promote respect between cyclists and pedestrians.

"The work which was led by the council’s technical services team began with an extensive review and assessment of the cycling routes along the Thanet coast.

"The £27,000 project has seen installation of new signage which specifically highlights the shared space policy of our coastal routes and areas where cyclists should slow down or dismount.

"Existing signage on the coastline that has weathered due to exposure to the elements has also been replaced."

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