A HUNTINGDON town centre footpath that a group of pedestrians claim is made dangerous by cyclists is set to be widened and upgraded for riders. The path at The Walks North is part of a network of footpaths linking the town centre with the railway station.

A HUNTINGDON town centre footpath that a group of pedestrians claim is made dangerous by cyclists is set to be widened and upgraded for riders.

The path at The Walks North is part of a network of footpaths linking the town centre with the railway station. Bikes are supposedly banned from the path, but the route is used extensively by pupils cycling to and from Hinchingbrooke School and by some commuters.

Cambridgeshire County Council said this week that it was talking to a landowner about widening it for shared use by cyclists and pedestrians as part of a broader network of routes to the railway station.

The upgrade is in Huntingdon's market town transport strategy, and cash to implement it should become available in the next financial year, a council spokesman said yesterday (Tuesday).

In the meantime, some pedestrians fear for their safety, claiming cyclists, sometimes riding three abreast, are likely to crash into mothers with buggies and elderly people.

Joyce Mole, who has lived at The Views, in George Street, Huntingdon for five years, told The Hunts Post: "Residents at The Views and Millfield House are constantly complaining that they have come near to being run down by cyclists.

"I have twice had to jump out of the way of a speeding cyclist. Everyone ignores the signs. I have even heard that the police support officers ride down there."

Ms Mole, 70, a retired advertising executive, added: "This is a danger to the cyclists as well. The schoolchildren don't wear their helmets - they have them hanging off the handlebars. They could kill themselves."

Miss Mole has written to the county council and to Huntingdon MP, Jonathan Djanogly, the head of Hinchingbrooke School, Keith Nancekievill, the Chief Constable of Cambridgeshire, Julie Spence, and Huntingdonshire District Council.

CCC said: "Our engineers have already been out to look at the site, and we had hoped to be able to meet the resident who complained."

Ms Mole welcomed the planned upgrade, but added: "In the meantime, people need to stop cycling along there because it isn't safe."

Mr Nancekievill said he would remind his pupils about their behaviour.