CYCLISTS say they are being put at risk by a set of traffic lights that change too quickly.

Members of Mole Valley Cycling Forum (MVCF) are concerned about the junction where West Street meets three other roads in Dorking.

They believe the four sets of lights controlling traffic between Station Road and Drill Hall Road do not allow time for people riding bikes to get clear of the junction.

Group member John Meudell, of Dene Street, said: "This issue is a big problem. What Surrey County Council have done is mis-timed the traffic lights. There is insufficient time to get across the junction."

Cyclists say the problem occurs when they turn right out of Station Road and cross the junction on West Street towards Westcott.

They say crossing the junction takes about 10 seconds, and that cars can begin emerging from Vincent Lane if the lights change before they get all the way across.

"If you are cycling through a green phase you have got no idea what time it is going to change," Mr Meudell said.

"To the driver it will look as if the cyclist has run the red light, but that is not the case."

Fellow MVCF member Paul Medcraft agrees that the junction is dangerous for cyclists.

"I ride fairly quickly but a slower rider may be caught out if the light turns to amber after they have passed it without them realising," he said.

"I have almost been hit from behind a couple of times, despite being in the cycle lane, when I have braked to avoid going through on amber, but cars following me have accelerated to get through before red.

"I have also seen a cyclist who went through on green being accused of jumping a red light by a driver turning left out of Vincent Lane, because they are unaware of the short phase."

MVCF chairman Ron Billard said: "We need a bit of dead time really, five seconds to allow us to get across.

"The upshot is that with lots of visitors to the area and the prospect of the new cycle link from Westcott, this junction needs to be safe."

Surrey County Council had not provided an official response as the Advertiser went to press, but in a letter to MVCF, the highways team stated: "This is currently being investigated but we can confirm the current configuration is fully within current UK design standards.

"We must also consider the adverse effect any extension of these times would have on the operation and safety of this installation.

"Delays and congestion are already a problem, and increasing the cycle time would exacerbate this, also increasing the risk of red light violation and actual, rather than perceived, accidents."

Update: Cyclists win temporary victory on 'dangerous' traffic lights