FURTHER tests will be carried out on a new cycle lane which was blamed for a series of crashes.

Brighton and Hove City Council has announced that workers will return to the Vogue Gyratory on Sunday to remove temporary measures installed to prevent cyclists falling off a hidden kerb.

Council officials will then observe the junction to see if the amendments have made it safer for bike owners.

Cyclists injured at the site just days after it opened following a £600,000 revamp welcomed further action being taken, but said the council had responded too slowly and questioned whether the changes would be enough.

Following reports in The Argus that several cyclists had been injured at the new road layout last month, the council installed a shallow tarmac ramp over the half-height kerb to prevent further accidents.

The council said no incidents had been reported since the modifications on December 21, but added that the current temporary wedge is not “durable enough” to remain permanently.

Transport officers are concerned that without the kerb, traffic will start encroaching onto the cycle lane.

Bev Wells, who fractured her hand and broke her elbow in a fall in the cycle lane, said she believed the flaw in the design lay in the pavement being too wide, leaving the corner too tight for two vehicles and a cyclist to travel through safely.

She said: “You can't do something like this piecemeal.

“You would hope that the council would get it right in the first place, but why are they only looking at it again now more than a month after the accidents?”

Simon Cooper, who suffered a deep cut to his elbow in his accident at the junction, said: “I think it's a positive step, it's obviously good they are looking at it, but I don't think making it the level of the road will mean that there aren't more difficulties there for cyclists and road users.

“I think there are still going to be accidents there.”

Lead councillor for transport Ian Davey said: “Generally the Vogue is demonstrably safer for bikes and has been well-received by cyclists.

“Although these kerbs are common, we've had this unexpected situation of a few cyclists apparently entering the bike lane from the side and failing to see the kerb.

“But the arrangement has to be easy to understand and safe for everyone so we need to test whether a cycle lane flush with the road keeps cyclists safe from vehicles or whether we need a kerb of some sort which bikes won't trip over.”