RESIDENTS have told a council to get on its bike over proposed changes to a safety barrier. As part of plans to create a Royston-wide cycle network. Hertfordshire County Council had proposed to remove barriers at the end of the path linking Cherry Drive a

RESIDENTS have told a council to get on its bike over proposed changes to a safety barrier.

As part of plans to create a Royston-wide cycle network. Hertfordshire County Council had proposed to remove barriers at the end of the path linking Cherry Drive and Garden Walk.

The plans angered residents of Cherry Drive, who started a petition in opposition to the proposals, forcing the council to have a change of heart.

However, revised plans which will be circulated in the coming weeks, are set to meet with opposition too.

George Hyslop, of Cherry Drive, said: "These barriers don't need changing at all. It's a complete waste of money and I can't see the point.

"Why can't the council use some common sense? They work perfectly well as they are."

Residents campaigned to have the barriers installed four years ago because of safety concerns.

The latest proposals from the county council would involve moving the exisiting barriers further apart to make them easier to negotiate for cyclists.

But Mr Hyslop said: "Cyclists, buggies, and mobility scooters can all get through comfortably, so why make the alterations?

"It will just allow cyclists to get up more speed as they approach the road. I worry about the safety of the children who use the passage."

A spokesman for Hertfordshire County Council said councillors discussed the proposals at a meeting of the highways joint member panel, held on Monday night, and agreed to drop the initial scheme.

He said: "Because of opposition from residents in the area we have decided to make alternative proposals involving moving the existing barriers so that cyclists can use the path without having to dismount.

"Nothing has been decided at this stage, and we look forward to putting the new plans out for consultation.