The new cycle lane was built around an existing BT Street Hub advertising board
Cyclists on one North London road are being forced to take evasive action after a newly-built cycle lane was built around a 1.2 metre-wide advertising board.
Riders have been spotted weaving around the display – officially known as a ‘BT Street Hub’ – on Marsh Road in Pinner, North West London. The board sits squarely in the middle of the newly-surfaced two-and-a-half metre wide path.
Other cyclists have been driven onto the pavement to navigate around the obstruction. BT confirmed the Street Hub has been in place since 2022, and that plans are already underway to have it removed, while campaigners have demanded the placement be ‘sorted out ASAP’.
Simon Munk, from the London Cycling Campaign, said: “It’s great news that Harrow’s getting a safe cycle track enabling far more residents to cycle. Obviously BT needs to sort out its ad board placement ASAP, but this kind of mess-up does happen often across London and is just part of the process of delivering changes to our streets to help people walk and cycle more.”
The cycle lane, which is currently under construction, was originally planned in 2023 and links Harrow on the Hill station in the west to Pinner Station in the east.
The 75-inch BT displays, which are officially classified as phone boxes, stand nearly three metres tall and feature Wi-Fi, USB charging ports, and even phones on the side enabling free calls.
A BT spokesperson said: “We installed the Street Hub on Marsh Road, Pinner in December 2022. A contractor on behalf of Harrow Council has started work to create a cycle path along Marsh Road and this has been done around our existing street hub.”
The spokesperson added: “We were not made aware prior to the works commencing or the timeframe for the works. In March 2026 we received a request to relocate our Street Hub.”
A Harrow Council spokesperson said: “We can confirm that the digital screen was installed before construction of the Pinner to Harrow Cycleway began. We have applied for it to be relocated and are working to ensure it is moved as soon as possible.”
The spokesperson added: “Once the cycleway works are complete and the screen has been removed, cyclists will be able to use the new cycle lane.”
Global has been approached by SWNS for comment. TfL declined SWNS’ request for comment.
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