There has been mirth and exasperation in Harrogate after a sign for the Otley Road cycle path was built pointing to the town centre in the wrong direction.

The long-awaited cycle path has been called a step forward for cycling in the town by Harrogate District Cycle Action but even its supporters would admit it’s had a bumpy ride so far.

After years of delays, there have been complaints from local business owners about disruption from building works and confusion from cyclists over what some believe to be a convoluted course that weaves on and off a shared route with pedestrians.

Phase one from Harlow Moor Road to Arthurs Avenue is now ready to be used and North Yorkshire County Council contractors erected signs two weeks ago, including this one close to the Harlow Moor Road junction.

But instead of directing cyclists towards the town centre and Valley Gardens, it sends them up Harlow Hill and out towards West Yorkshire.

Read more:

• Long-awaited Otley Road cycle lane opens to safety concerns
• Scrapping Pannal cycle lane ‘ludicrous’, says cycling group

The Stray Ferret asked members of a Harrogate Facebook group what they thought about the error.

Mary Reevey called the sign “shambolic” whilst Christine Hemming said it was “totally useless, just like the cycle lane”.

Others joked that cyclists would now be able to take “the scenic route” into town.

However, Richard Squire defended the erroneous sign and called for some perspective:

“I think things go wrong sometimes. It’s no big deal, is it?”

In response, Melisa Burnham, highways area manager at North Yorkshire County Council, said:

“This is a genuine mistake by our contractor. The signage will be amended this week at no cost to the council.”