A PETITION containing 1,400 signatures has been handed to Renfrewshire Council in a bid to have a controversial cycle lane scrapped.

There is growing concern over the new link, which goes from Howwood, through Johnstone and continues to Paisley, with some residents describing it as “a death trap.”

The 10km route is one of nine in Renfrewshire being built after cash was provided by the Scottish Government in a bid to encourage people to ditch their cars.

Angela Kaplan, who is the driving force behind the bid to convince roads chiefs to perform a U-turn, is particularly concerned about the impact the cycle lane is having on safety in Beith Road, Johnstone.

As she handed in her petition at Renfrewshire Council’s headquarters, she said: “People in Johnstone are very concerned about the dangers that the council have introduced to the road.

“Since the change has taken place, there has been at least three documented incidents, as well as numerous near misses.

READ MORE: Safety fears spark demands for urgent U-turn on new cycle lane

“This whole thing is excessive and has not been consulted on with local people. No-one is happy – not drivers, not local businesses and not even cyclists.”

Mrs Kaplan thanked Labour councillor John Hood, who represents Johnstone South and Elderslie and has been a critic of the new cycle lane, for supporting the bid to have it scrapped.

She added: “Renfrewshire Council have seemed to ignore local feeling and continue with an unnecessary and dangerous change to a busy main road.

“We insist that all changes revert back to the initial set-up.”

Councillor Hood said the fact the petition attracted more than 1,400 signatures is a sign of the “massive” opposition to the cycle lane.

READ MORE: Council bosses perform U-turn over cycle lane next to shops

He added that, as a keen cyclist, he is eager to see improvements to local routes but insists the current set-up in the Beith Road area is unsafe.

Councillor Hood also expressed concerns about the impact on local shops, who are missing out on passing trade.

He said: “Renfrewshire Council needs to listen to local people who have to use this road to live and work.”

Renfrewshire Council declined to comment on the petition when approached by The Gazette.