A “confusing” new cycle lane at a road junction has been slammed by furious locals who have compared its design to a “mini-labyrinth”. The new Cycle Optimised Protected Signals (Cyclops) junction, built using part of a £1million public fund, has been branded “a waste of money” by taxpayers in Bury, Greater Manchester. One resident was so astonished by the finished project earlier this week, she thought it had been an April Fools stunt.

The layout has three give way points, six entrances and a mini set of traffic lights. It is meant to “separate pedestrians and cyclists from motor traffic”.It also has two zebra crossings.

The Labour-run authority behind the scheme hopes it is one of several projects improving “all forms of journeys” across the Greater Manchester region.

But residents have vented their fury at the route which straddles A56 and the A58. Lewis Miles, 58, who was walking along the road this morning said: “It’s been a complete mess from start to finish.

“The money could have been used elsewhere, fixing pot holes and things like that. I don’t think the council have been upfront about it.

“It’s complicated, and it’s caused too much traffic. It would be dangerous to people who are blind or partially sighted – we have just nearby the society for the blind building in the area.

“I’ve been coming this way for a long time, and while they’ve been doing the road works, I’ve had to cross some times in the traffic.

“I don’t think people will use the cycle lane. I’ve just been on the footpath, and one of the cyclists was using that. “

A social media post slamming the layout has generated hundreds of comments from bemused locals. One wrote: “Absolute joke, the money spent by this Labour council is astounding.

“Next they will be buying bikes for everyone. I drive along this route about four times a day and [have] seen more gazelles than bike riders.”

Another agreed saying: “Seriously just showed this [to] my husband who is a cyclist and he’s just laughed and said what a waste of money that’s not going to be worth what they’ve spent on it.

“I personally thought it was an April fool’s joke.”

A local mum added: “Went to Bury on Thursday morning, dropped my daughter off at college.

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“I didn’t see one cyclist on the road and the same back at 3pm! Waste of money and causing traffic to bottleneck from Jubilee Way into Bury centre.”

Residents also said they were worried about the route’s safety, particularly for those with sight issues. One wrote: “As usual they did not think how visually impaired people might have difficulty navigating a mini labyrinth.

“One more unsafe crossing point to add to the list.” Another said: “Absolutely ridiculous and dangerous for motorists and cyclists. The road narrows too quickly once through the traffic lights going towards Holy Cross College.

“Someone will be seriously injured!” Whoever designed this junction needs to be sacked and so should the Counsellors who agreed to it. If only we had a choice whether we paid our Council Tax or road Tax.”

A spokesperson from Bury Council said the new junction was part of a regional development plan to help connect communities across Greater Manchester.

They said: “The works to construct the new Cyclops junction at Angouleme Way in Bury form part of the Bee Network that is being funded by Transport for Greater Manchester.

“This is a region wide initiative to improve all forms of journey by connecting communities together making it easier, safer, and more attractive for people to travel on foot or bike for everyday trips.

“This particular junction is crossed by hundreds of students every day on their way to St Gabriel’s, Bury Church and Bury Grammar schools.

“The revised layout will make it easier and safer for them to walk or cycle from one side to the other. The cost of the scheme is in the region of £1,000,000 and represents a significant investment by TfGM in their commitment to promote Active Travel.”

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