People in Coventry are "concerned" about how much is spent on cycle lanes given the state of the city's roads, an opposition councillor has claimed. But those in the ruling party say the lanes are being used - and the money that goes on them is from the government and can't be spent on anything else.

There are also plans to put more money into road repairs, a council meeting heard this week (20 September.) It comes after city residents asked for more cycle lanes in response to a council survey on its climate change and sustainability plans.

But Cllr Peter Male told a meeting to discuss the feedback that not everyone feels the same way. "Residents in my area have huge concern about money spent on cycle lanes when roads and pavements are falling apart," he said.

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Cllr Male, deputy leader of the Conservative group, also claimed the lanes are "mostly empty" adding: "Let's not have any silly figures." However, Labour cabinet member Cllr Jim O'Boyle stressed that "it's not either/or" as money for the lanes comes from the government.

"On cycle lanes, I just don't think people understand it," he said. "[We] bid for money from the government or combined authority - we can only spend it on cycle lanes," he added.

"We need to spend more money on potholes and pavement repairs," Cllr O'Boyle said, but he highlighted there are problems with roads and funding across the country. Plans to fast-track money to deal with these issues are now being looked at, he said.

Fellow Labour Cllr Christine Thomas said cycleways in Binley and Willenhall are "extremely well used." "Families are coming out at weekends with bicycles, it's been fantastic for people with disabilities," she added.

Feedback numbers 'less than satisfactory'

The numbers of people giving feedback on the council's climate plans also came under fire at the meeting. Just under 1,500 people viewed the strategy over five months, a tiny fraction of the city's population, and it received less than 2,000 comments.

This is the second highest response the council has ever had to a consultation, the meeting heard. But officers and most councillors agreed it's not enough given the issue's importance, with one officer admitting it's "far less than satisfactory."

Events to engage with the public on the plans had been held at big city gatherings over the summer including Godiva and Motofest. But officers said their marketing budget was very limited and they didn't have the resources of a council like Leeds, which had 8,000 responses to a similar campaign.

They were also affected by the City of Culture Trust's collapse as some of the consultation relied on the group's 'green legacies' programme. Councillors suggested ways to reach more people such as language based TV and radio stations and working with local groups, such as the city's tree wardens.

Director of Transport Colin Knight said that most crucially, the council needs "to make sure people see how this benefits them, how this is relevant." "[For example] retrofit is able to help get people out of fuel poverty," he added.

"We need to present this as an opportunity for people. It's not about 'thou shalt not.' "It's about a positive vision for the city."