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A controversial plan to allow lorries delivering goods from a consolidation centre to use cycle lanes in Norwich starts next week. The freight consolidation centre opened last year but its operator, Foulger Transport, has struggled to entice shops and businesses to use the service.

Norfolk County Council has given  the go-ahead to a trial in which Foulger vehicles will be allowed to run in a bus and cycle lane in order to speed up deliveries and boost interest among Norwich's businesses. The lorries will be fitted with Fresnel lenses to eliminate blind-spot areas and provide their drivers with maximum visibility.

Foulger Transport business development manager Graham Mayes says six of its drivers are about to start one-day training courses to be educated about the closeness of cyclists: "They are professional drivers," he explains. "It's just about height awareness and additional awareness of cyclists on the left."

The company believes that only one or two lorries will be using the route each week, but Norwich Liberal Democrat councillor Judith Lubbock claims the trial is unsafe and will discourage cyclists: "The county council say they will be monitoring the scheme, looking at vehicle flow and speed surveys, journey  times and benefits to the consolidation centre operation, however little is said about the effect on cyclists."

Mayes says economic conditions are preventing some retailers from making use of the consolidation centre, but hopes this will change when the trial starts: "I think it might well be the case visibility, accessibility, people just knowing about it. An openness to considering change is the most important thing."

A Norfolk County Council spokesman says: "Each consolidation centre vehicle keeps up to five other HGVs out of the city centre. This is good for all road users in the city centre, including cyclists."