PLANNED safety upgrades of Lake Morris Rd will go ahead but a 12-month trial to improve safety for cyclists has been dumped as the council considers opening up the area around Copperlode Dam to recreational use.

Cairns Regional Council yesterday rescinded a previous resolution to restrict traffic on Lake Morris Rd between 5pm and 8am for 12 months along with an upgrade of Lake Morris Rd.

Councillors Richie Bates, Linda Cooper and Rob Pyne all voted against the rescission notice, but the council went on to unanimously vote in favour of a new motion put forward by Mayor Bob Manning which re-included the Lake Morris Rd upgrade works.

Cr Manning and his team want to examine whether Lake Morris should be opened up for bushwalking, bird-watching, canoeing and possibly camping before choosing to restrict motorists from using the road up to Copperlode Dam.

"We had asked for the report into passive recreational use of that area but that had been a little slower coming, but we wanted that on the table so when we make the decisions we have all the facts," Cr Manning said.

Peter McNally, who founded the Cairns to Cooktown Cardiac Challenge cycle event, said cyclists would still use the road despite the trial being scrapped.

"One of the biggest reasons for closing it to traffic is it would stop the hoons going up there," he said.

"I've had some close calls with people coming close to you or calling you names."

Cr Manning said Lake Morris Rd would have to be improved if the area was opened up to more visitors.

"It does have some sharp bends that people need to be careful of and that's always been the case," he said.

"If we are going to move to an increased use of the Copperlode Dam area ultimately what will come is pressure to create some improvements to that road and that will be done over a period of time."