A contraflow cycle lane for Braintree town centre has been branded a "total waste of money" by critics.
Plans shown the current cycle lane running through the town centre between Coggeshall Road, Bank Street, and Rayne Road.
The road is one way and the cycle lane was implemented in December 2023.
Essex County Council revealed a plan in a traffic regulation order to make changes to sections of Bocking End and Cressing Road to allow for the cycle lane.
These changes in Bocking End and Cressing Road are to consolidate all existing traffic regulation orders in the area.
The lane was created using a share of £7.4million awarded to County Hall from the Government’s Active Travel Fund in 2020.
Residents took to social media to voice their criticism.
Colin Evans said: “It’s a total waste of money and a completely insane idea from Essex Highways.
“I’ve never seen a cyclist on it yet.
“They should have put Bocking End, Coggeshall Road and Rayne Road back to two-way traffic to stop motorists having to go all round town.”
The Active Travel Fund is to help towns and cities implement schemes to create an environment which is safer for walking and cycling.
According to County Hall, Braintree has an 83 per cent “high reliance on car use” compared to the regional or national averages.
The county council plans to make Braintree and neighbouring towns and cities greener and healthier by making it easier and safer to walk or cycle.
Commenter James Neil thinks the contraflow cycle lane is not used enough.
He said: "The new ones installed in Panfield Lane, Rayne Road and Coggeshall Road are severely underused."
Witham resident Jo Ikel claimed bike lanes are often not used.
She said: “Cycle lanes are often unused by cyclists.
“They collect all the grit and dirt at the side of the road and are not nice to cycle through.
“Vans love to park in them at random moments and they take up space which could just as easily be used by all road users.”
Dawn Pickton, of Braintree, said the proposed cycle path was a "joke".
“That is not going to solve the massive congestion problems the town already has,” she said.
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