Rotherham Council has voted to review cycle lane schemes and give greater consideration to road safety measures following a petition signed by 3,600 people.

The council unanimously accepted the petition, which called for all existing and proposed schemes funded through the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement to be reconsidered.

What the petition demanded

The petition asked Rotherham Council to prioritise crossings, traffic calming, wider pavements and safer routes to schools over dedicated cycle and bus lanes.

Conservative councillor Paul Thorp, who organised the petition, told the council meeting on Wednesday: "All the current build schemes have proven the point: the lanes are not used and the data has not been positive for any of them."

Thorp said he wanted the authority to rethink its policy for the funding it pursued over active travel. "Even though the funding allows walking, wheeling, cycling, and public transport, all the emphasis has been on cycling and bus lanes," he said.

Background to the decision

The council's decision came weeks after Labour council leader Chris Read confirmed the proposed £10.7m Broom Road and Wickersley Road extension scheme would not go ahead. That package included cycle routes and controlled crossings around Stag Roundabout, alongside options for new cycle and bus lanes, but was abandoned after consultation found the proposals lacked public support.

During the debate, the petition received cross-party support. Green councillor Mick Bower said the council had "totally ignored what the people want" and made residents "doubt local democracy". He noted that about £250,000 had been spent planning the abandoned scheme, money he argued could have funded measures residents wanted.

John Williams, cabinet member for transport, jobs and the local economy, responded: "This administration has engaged with our communities. We've listened and we're acting on their feedback." Williams said the council had reviewed consultation responses before reaching what it considered the appropriate decisions on the schemes.