CYCLISTS and pedestrians have been left baffled as teething problems blight a new road in Birmingham.

A maze of protruding poles, extra-low road signs and precariously-placed bus timetables give people something extra to think about as they make their way along the Selly Oak New Road, near the city’s Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre.

Cyclists will need all their dexterity and saddle skills to navigate the slalom of signs on a dedicated bike lane. Riders have to share half the width of a footpath with pedestrians, but they also have to negotiate the frequent road signs that offer an added hazard to cyclists. Bike enthusiast Darren Cash, writing on Birmingham Cyclist forum, said: “When I see something like that I begin to wonder if any one takes cycling seriously.”

He said it seemed the posts and signs had been erected after the surface had been laid and blamed a lack of cohesion between the various authorities and companies involved in its construction.

Cyclist Rachel Gillies said: “It’s a big opportunity missed for an on-road cycle path and proper consultation on street furniture and signing.”

Their views were echoed by Harborne-based advertising executive Bob Holland. “It’s another indication that car is king in the city,” he said.

Meanwhile, passengers trying to catch a bus on the newest section of the road will also need to keep their wits about them. Timetable boards on bus stops face towards the carriageway, making it difficult to view them.

Also writing on the forum, Philip Whiteman said: “I could not believe my eyes when I noticed that the timetable boards face outwards onto the carriageway rather than onto the pavement.’’

A Birmingham City Council spokesman said: “Unfortunately we didn’t have an alternative on this particular site. We always try to avoid obstructing cyclists and pedestrians. But these signs require substantial foundations and we were constrained by the statutory requirements for the position of road signs and the location of existing utility cables.”

■ Have you been confused by the new signs? Email letters@birminghammail.net