A NEWLY laid cycle path has created a safety hazard for road users, according to a worried Dorking resident.
Sheila Hawkins says immediate alterations must be made to the route in Westcott Road, as the path has been extended across the end of Vaughan Way, giving riders no indication that cars regularly cross it.
The 75-year-old, who lives beside the junction, said: "Vaughan Way looks insignificant but there are actually 15 houses that use it for car access.
"When they marked the new cycle path, they took it straight across our lane with new Tarmac and white lines as if we don't exist. I think it's very dangerous."
Mrs Hawkins said the cycle lane, which was completed by Surrey Highways workmen a few weeks ago, had been correctly installed with bollards, kerbs and white lines at the junction with the next turning, Nutcombe Lane.
"That makes it quite clear that that is a road access and cyclists must stop for it but, at our lane, you just don't see it," she said.
"I am trying to stop somebody being really hurt. The way it is marked is crazy."
Mrs Hawkins said she had raised the issue with the county council three times.
She said: "It's a real safety issue and I'm getting absolutely nowhere with Surrey Highways.
"They have put it on their urgent safety issue list, but that apparently means somebody must come and look at it within 28 days. I'm not at all impressed."
John Meudell, from the Mole Valley Cycling Forum, agreed Mrs Hawkins had "a genuine complaint", and pointed out that the path was also too narrow for a pavement shared by both pedestrians and cyclists.
Surrey County Council spokeswoman Joy Ridley said the two junctions differed in that cars took priority at Nutcombe Lane – which already had bollards and dropped kerbs – unlike at Vaughan Way.
She added: "The Westcott Road cycle path was designed with full consideration of all safety issues. As cars come out of Vaughan Way they have plenty of space, time and good visibility to check for cyclists before emerging on to the road, exercising just the same caution as they would do coming out of their own driveway."
