CAMPAIGNERS are ramping up the pressure on Renfrewshire Council to remove a controversial cycle lane from a busy Johnstone road.

There are growing fears over safety as a result of the lane being installed at Beith Road earlier this year as part of a trial cycle route from Howwood to Paisley, funded by Sustrans Scotland.

Last week, a teenager was injured when he collided with a car on Beith Road, near its junction with Rannoch Road.

Emergency services rushed to the scene at around 6pm on Wednesday, December 22, and the 18-year-old was taken by ambulance to the Royal Alexandra Hospital, in Paisley, for treatment.

More than 600 people have backed a petition calling on council chiefs to perform a U-turn over the new layout.

Councillor John Hood, who represents Johnstone South and Elderslie, told The Gazette: “Myself and others have warned that this new cycle lane is an accident waiting to happen.

“We want to see it removed and more safety features put into the area.

“One of the reasons a speed camera was installed at that junction was because people have been killed there before.

“I’m getting told about near misses on Beith Road almost every day now from residents.”

There have been complaints that the new layout is confusing for drivers to navigate and keeps customers away from nearby shops.

A council spokesperson said: “We understand a man was involved in a collision with a car on Wednesday and send him our best wishes as he recovers from his injuries.

“Police Scotland attended and have confirmed to us the road layout was not a factor in this accident and the driver was not at fault. We ask all pedestrians and road users to follow road safety measures, to keep themselves and others safe.

“The Howwood to Paisley cycle route is intended to provide a new, safe link between the two local areas and is designed to encourage more people to leave the car at home and cycle instead.

“It was designed on the basis of feedback with the local community and will provides cyclists with space to keep them safe from passing vehicles, while maintaining appropriate space on the road for other vehicles.

“Any feedback on the route can be sent to ei@renfrewshire.gov.uk and any appropriate changes can be assessed and made if required.”