A pointless cycle path on Mauldeth Road West, Chorlton

Image: © Phil Champion Taken: 18 Dec 2011

This is at the Nell Lane cross roads. Work had been carried out to improve the pedestrian crossings at the traffic lights, also modify the kerb lines on the four corners of the junction and the central reservation on the dual carriageway. I assume this was carried out at the same time as utility works preparatory to the construction of the Metrolink extension towards Manchester Airport which is due to be built along the centre of Mauldeth Road West. The cycle path markings puzzle me. There is a similar arrangement on Nell lane, just round the corner to the right, and on the corner on the other side of Nell Lane. So instead of waiting at the lights and turning the left on to Mauldeth Road West on the carriageway, cyclists are encouraged to mount the pavement, give way to pedestrians waiting at the crossing, then give way again when joining the carriageway. Except the cycle symbol is the other way round, with give way markings facing away from the camera. Which would suggest that instead of turning right at the lights, cyclists are encouraged to cross the dual carriageway from left to right well before the lights, join this footway, go round the corner and cross over Nell Lane to rejoin the left side of the carriageway. This seems very strange.

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