A CYCLIST believes someone will die at a junction on Tankerton seafront if something isn't done to make it safer.

Winston Waller, 58, a lecturer in electronics at the University of Kent, has had two near misses at the junction of Marine Parade and St Anne's Road and fears a less experienced cyclist may not have lived to tell the tale.

Mr Waller, who cycles from his Tankerton Road home to work every day, said: "Before Christmas I was cycling around doing a bit of shopping and as I turned into Marine Parade I had to jam the brakes on because a car didn't stop.

"The second time, not long ago, I was looking out for cars not giving way and I stopped before it got dangerous.

"Had I not been looking out I would have been in danger of going under the wheels. A less-experienced cyclist might not have been so fortunate.

"Both times the car drivers seemed completely oblivious to me.

"I predict there will be a fatality there involving a cyclist or a pedestrian."

Priorities at the junction changed last year with traffic travelling east along Marine Parade, towards Herne Bay, now having to give way to vehicles which are turning right into Marine Parade from St Anne's Road.

Mr Waller, who has calculated he cycles more than 2,000 miles a year, said: "A lot of cars either don't bother to give way or they look across to see if there's a car coming and miss the fact that there's a bike there."

He said Give Way signs and road markings were clearly visible but suggested putting raised yellow lines on the ground, similar to those on the approach to a roundabout, to alert drivers to the junction.

Alternatively, he said, Kent Highway Services could impose a 20mph speed limit in the area, which is popular with children, walkers and cyclists, particularly in the summer.

A controversial proposal by Canterbury City Council to create a cycle route along Tankerton promenade would not, Mr Waller said, help cyclists wishing to ride from the residential areas of Tankerton into Marine Parade.

A Kent Highways spokesman said officials were aware of the problems at the junction and were investigating solutions.

The Times contacted Kent Highways to ask for a comment, but they had not got back to us as we went to press.