“No cycling” signs on a pavement have been vandalised causing confusion for tourists.

The signs, on the upper promenade adjacent to Marine Parade in Brighton, are supposed to remind cyclists to go elsewhere.

But the majority of them, along the pavement from Old Steine to Brighton Marina, have been vandalised, with the “No” covered and turned into a heart symbol.

The Argus: The majority of signs on the pavement have been vandalisedThe majority of signs on the pavement have been vandalised (Image: The Argus)

The signs occur around every 100 metres along the promenade and most of them have been altered.

Cycling is banned on the upper promenade pavement and bike riders are encouraged to use the road or they can also use the cycle lane which is parallel to the pavement down on Madeira Drive.

The pavement is supposed to be a safe place for pedestrians but there are concerns the vandalism could confuse tourists.

The Argus: The signs should read 'No Cycling', like this, one of the few remaining signs to not be painted overThe signs should read 'No Cycling', like this, one of the few remaining signs to not be painted over (Image: The Argus)

It comes after funding was secured for a cycle lane in Marine Parade, next to the pavement, from the Marina to the Palace Pier.

Last May, Brighton and Hove City Council was awarded £1.208m from the Department for Transport (DfT) for the new cycle route.

The scheme would provide a continuous two-way cycle facility on the southern side of the A259, as well as improvements to pedestrian crossings and new crossings along the route. 

It would also include cycle parking, provision of a BTN Bikeshare hub and bus network improvements between the Palace Pier roundabout and Lower Rock Gardens.

At the time, the council said the cycle lane was needed in addition to the Madeira Drive lane because it can only be accessed at either end - from the Palace Pier roundabout at its west end or Dukes Mound and the Marina to the east. 

This means that many people living Kemp Town and Whitehawk cannot easily access it to travel east and west along the seafront, particularly for everyday journeys.

Marine Parade was chosen as the council said it was aware of reports of cycling on the pavement in this location.

Local authority active travel schemes like these plans for a new cycle lane will now be inspected by a government body called Active Travel England and funding can be withdrawn for schemes that do not meet new national standards.