CYCLISTS criticised Blackburn Council for ignoring them on the day that the new look Boulevard and train station reopened for business.

The Cycling Campaign for East Lancashire claimed the town's Transport Day did not included them because town hall bosses were refusing to follow Government guidelines.

The latest department of Transport guidelines state local authorities should work towards an integrated public transport and bicycle network.

Robin Field, a spokesman for the group, said: "Not only has another opportunity to create a truly integrated system been missed, but once again they have unintentionally made things worse for cyclists." The group criticised the council for failing to allow cyclists to use the bus only lanes in the Boulevard.

Robin Field added: "There is now a National Cycling Strategy. This requires local authorities to produce plans to quadruple the amount of cycling but they just don't want to know.

"Instead conditions are getting worse, and we are still waiting for the council to sort out the farce in Queen Street with its infamous cycle lane to nowhere.

"Meanwhile they are building more and more of these crazy kerb build-outs which make conditions impossible for cyclists."

Council leader Malcolm Doherty defended the decision not to include bike lanes in the Boulevard refurbishment.

"We always take into account bike riders where it is an important issue but the Boulevard will be used by people starting or finishing journeys on public transport not as through route for cyclists."

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