A WIRRAL councillor fears "an accident is waiting to happen" unless road safety improvements are made on Hoylake promenade.

Cllr Andrew Gardner's concerns follow a number of near misses and collisions in the last seven weeks, involving cyclists who have ignored the one way road signs on North Parade at its junction with Hoyle Road.

Nationally, the Government has announced around £2 billion to support greater measures to support cyclists and pedestrians.

Cllr Gardner, who has received reports from more than 30 households of collisions wants North Parade to be made a priority for safety improvements for all road users.

He has written to council's director of highways request that improvements to the layout of the junction are brought urgently drawn up for consultation with residents and road users.

A spokesperson for the authority said it was "currently reviewing locations where it may be appropriate to introduce measures identified within the Government announcement".

Cllr Gardner said: "The last seven weeks has seen a big increase in the number of cyclists on North Parade.

"Sadly, many of them do not appear to realise it is a one way road and I have received reports from more than 30 households of near misses and collisions.

"The 'No Entry' sign at the junction with Hoyle Road is ignored, and has been for years.

"The last seven weeks’ has highlighted this.

"We have the Lifeboat Station situated on North Parade, as well as the sailing club and community centre – when they reopen, the danger will increase further.

"The Secretary of State for Transport wants urgent action to improve conditions, residents of North Parade want urgent action and so do local councillors."

A Wirral Council spokesperson told the Globe: "We are keen to support residents to use alternative forms of transport to public transport and private car, in order to not only enable social distancing and support economic recovery but also within the context of a longer term legacy for increasing active travel.

"We are currently reviewing locations where it may be appropriate to introduce measures identified within the Government announcement but we would ask all road users to be considerate to others during this time and remind people it is essential that we follow the usual highway rules to ensure we all remain safe."