A CYCLIST is preparing to take legal action against a local authority after he injured his shoulder while negotiating a new traffic-calming scheme.

Wilfred Hutchinson, 50, from Darlington, claims he has suffered months of pain after falling off his bike in July.

He had been cycling through a chicane installed by Darlington council when his pedals clipped the corner.

He was taken to hospital, and said he was now unable to work as a result of the accident.

Darlington council's insurer Zurich Municipal is disputing liability for the accident, which took place in Salters Lane South.

Mr Hutchinson said: "The council have not been very helpful and I am willing to pursue this by taking legal action.

"I have been riding up and down this road for years and had never had an accident until they put this new system in.

"I was in severe pain at the time and even now I cannot lie on my shoulder during the night because the pain comes on."

Mr Hutchinson said the design of the chicane, which is adjacent to a cycle path, is at fault because the approach to it is narrower than the exit.

Council spokesman Steve Jones said he could not comment directly on the claim because it was in the hands of the insurer.

But he said the traffic calming scheme the council installed in the spring, which includes other measures, had been successful in reducing the speed of traffic following complaints.