York residents are calling for changes to a bus lane to be reviewed, after a cyclist was left fighting for her life after being involved in an accident with a bus.

Yorkpress.co.uk reports that the 40-year-old cyclist was in collision with the bus last Thursday (29/05/10) in Fulford Road, York. Local police are currently calling for any witnesses to the collision between the cyclist and the bus to come forward.

However, local residents are concerned that recent changes to the layout of the road could lead to more accidents occurring – and feel that the previous road layout was safer.

Some residents say that alterations to the stretch of road – which included the installation of new bus and cycle lanes and the removal of left-hand filter lanes – have increased the risks of collisions and are calling for the changes to be reviewed.

Local resident Gary Aveyard, 48, has lived near the stretch of road for 25 years and said that he had witnessed several ‘near misses’ in the weeks preceding Thursday’s accident. Mr Aveyard feels that the road layout changes have created an ‘inherent danger’ along Fulford Road.

‘Due to the inherent dangers of the new layout, I believe there will be more and more accidents in future,’ said Mr Aveyard.

‘Vehicles chopping and changing lanes in an uncontrolled, unsure and very dangerous manner is extremely concerning.’

Mr Aveyard said that other local residents had also expressed concerns about the new road layout, with some of the changes meaning drivers had to execute dangerous turns – or were left ‘precariously’ positioned when turning or unsure of their position on the road while trying to turn because of the new bus lanes.

Mr Aveyard said there were particular concerns for drivers not familiar with the area or the road:

‘What could be the potential for danger and accidents involving non-local and foreign drivers, particularly caravans and heavy goods vehicles?

‘Having spoken to local residents and several road users – including taxi drivers – they are also extremely concerned and confused,’ he said.

The cyclist in last Thursday’s collision sustained serious head injuries in the accident – no update on her condition is available.

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