CYCLISTS have been told they can break the law on Weymouth seafront and ignore no cycling' signs.

New legislation allowing cycling on The Esplanade has taken so long to introduce that Weymouth and Portland Borough Council chiefs have promised to turn a blind eye to law-breakers.

They have written to cyclists to reassure them they will not be prosecuted by police for what is still technically an illegal activity.

But until the change in bylaw is introduced, no cycling' signs have to remain in place on the seafront.

Councillors first voted to allow cycling on the Esplanade in June 2006.

They said pushbikes could be used between the Sluice Gardens and Overcombe Corner at any time and between the Devonshire Buildings and ramp access next to the Rock Groyne except between 10am and 5pm in the summer.

Nearly two years on, cycling enthusiasts are still waiting for the bylaw to be pushed through.

A note about bylaw amendments given to councillors in November 2005 estimated that the overall process would take eight to 12 months to enforce.

Cycling lobbyist Ken Reed, of the Dorset Cyclists' Network, said: "This is ridiculous. We are now two years down the road and we are not getting anywhere.

"We have been pestering them to get on and change the bylaw but we are still waiting."

Mr Reed, of Weymouth, said he was uncomfortable with the council's reassurance that he can break the law.

He said: "We still get people saying you shouldn't be cycling' because of the signs.

"We asked if they could take the signs down but that's not allowed.

"If you are driving in your car and you see a no entry' sign then you don't go in, but if you see a sign that says no cycling' you don't expect to be allowed to cycle down there."

Coun Christine James, the council's transport spokeswoman, blamed central government red tape for the hold-up.

She said: We apologise for the delay in amending the byelaws, which is due to changes introduced at a national level by the Department of Communities and Local Government and is frustratingly out of our control.

"It is confusing, but although we will have taken the decision not to prosecute people for cycling as the 2006 amendments state, we must still wait for formal approval before changing the signs and publicising the new bylaws.'