A CHIPPENHAM cyclist's fears for her safety, after she and others using a cycle lane in the centre of town was being forced to go around stationary cars and into traffic, have been echoed by the town's cycling club.

Park Lane in Chippenham has had a cycle lane for more than 20 years, but despite being marked with double yellow lines motorists, including those living on the road, have been repeatedly obstructing the path by parking there.

The cyclist, who wishes to remain anonymous after feeling threatened when she confronted a driver about the problem, believes that the parked cars will eventually cause an accident.

She said: “Surely parking on the cycle lane is not the correct thing to do.

“The whole situation and how it’s handled is very dangerous for cyclists and it could definitely cause an accident.

“Something should be done about it.”

Andy Cook, chairman of Chippenham Wheelers, believes that the design of the cycle lane is not helping matters but says that motorists should still adhere to the rules of the road.

“I remember when they first put it in and I think it’s poorly designed,” he said.

“It takes you to one side of the cars and the end of it you’re spat back out into the road. It never gets cleared and it’s full of grit and gravel.

“I’m a firm supporter of cycle ways and paths where they are well designed.

“But if it’s a dedicated cycle lane and part of the highway they need to have it kept clear.

“We live in a world where some of these things are left to go and it becomes the norm but potentially it could cause an accident.”

A Wiltshire Council spokesman said: “Obstructing a cycle lane by parking on it poses a real safety risk for cyclists. We have issued 12 penalty charge notices to the owner of one particular vehicle in Park Lane and will continue to do so should anyone park inappropriately.”

Residents and businesses in Park Lane say part of the problem is caused by commuters who leave their cars in the unrestricted parking spaces on the road, before walking to the station at the top of the road.

Winnie Winterbourne, who works at Dickie’s Barber Shop in Park Lane, said: “A lot of people don’t live on the road, they park their cars and then you see them with their bags walking up to the station.”

Adrian Latham, who lives in Park Lane, said: “There are places around here to park, it doesn’t stop me from going out.

“But it does make you think, should I jump in my car because I don’t know where I’m going to be able to park when I come back.”