A Worcestershire County Councillor has slammed "dangerous and illegal cycling" in Worcester city centre after changes to the Highway Code were brought in recently.

Councillor Alan Amos said: "The county council is not the authority that enforces the new changes but my primary concern is the increasingly dangerous and illegal cycling throughout the city centre.

"The law is clear and cycling on pavements and the city centre walkways is illegal and I have seen no evidence that the police are enforcing this.

"I understand that they need proper resources to do this but anything that can be done to improve the safety in our city I would be happy to see being done."

Worcester News: Worcestershire County Councillor Alan Amos.Worcestershire County Councillor Alan Amos.

The new rules in the Highway Code mean traffic should give way when pedestrians are crossing or waiting to cross at junctions.

Cyclists are advised to ride in the centre of lanes on quieter roads, in slower-moving traffic, and when approaching junctions, to increase visibility.

A hierarchy of road users is also being introduced, meaning someone driving will have more responsibility to watch out for people cycling, walking, or riding a horse, and cyclists will have more responsibility to be aware of pedestrians.

Dan Brothwell, of Bike Worcester, said: "We welcome the new Highway Code changes that put people walking at the top of the hierarchy. These changes put the UK in line with many European countries.

"People driving cars made from over one tonne of metal quite rightly have a duty of care to people walking, people cycling and riding horses.

"We now need Worcestershire County Council to step up and provide segregated cycle infrastructure that is LTN 1/20 compliant to keep pedestrians and cyclists safe as well as reducing motor traffic congestion for drivers."

The LTN 1/20 is guidance for local authorities on designing high-quality, safe cycle infrastructure, provided by the government.

In response to Bike Worcester's comments, Councillor Amos said: "The LTN 1/20 is the guidance we regard as useful but in reality, it is not always possible to implement.

"We try to stick to it where possible but throughout Worcester, the lack of land available to implement the guidance is a determining factor.

"You need at least three metres for the cycle lane and the two metres for pedestrians which is extremely difficult to find space for.

"In many cases, it is just not practical."

We have contacted West Mercia Police for comment. 

For more information on the Highway Code, you can read our previous article here.