RESIDENTS claim fewer than five cyclists a week are using a £750,000 cycle path they never wanted.

And they claim an elderly woman was even run over by a cyclist on the new path in Mile End Road, Colchester.

The path opened at the end of August - three months later than planned - with the final cost to Essex County Council still not disclosed.

The original cost without the work delays was £750,000.

Robert Johnstone, who lives in Mile End Road, said: “People using it are those who don’t realise it is unsafe or don’t care.

“It is only hearsay but somebody told me he was waiting for a bus and there was an elderly lady on the western side, he was waiting on the eastern side.

“The elderly lady didn’t get out of the way in time, she was hit by a cyclist and got knocked down.

“The person waiting for the bus went over the road to her and she was complaining her arm was very sore and he phoned an ambulance.”

Mr Johnstone added: “Every morning when I go out to collect my milk I don’t see any cyclists.

“I think there must be below five a week.”

Mr Johnstone, who is also on Myland Community Council, said a total of 75 driveways or road junctions intercepted the cycle path route, which could all be potential hazards.

He said the cycle path also meant cyclists were not being encouraged to use the road and learn proper safety skills, as encouraged by Essex County Council.

To create the path, it had to be shared with the existing pedestrian walkway meaning the pavement was widened overall and the road became narrower.

Mr Johnstone said this added to dangers.

“Pedestrians will fill a space and I have seen some people walking three abreast, sometimes people are looking at a text message on their phones.

“It is a great waste of money because Mile End Road used to be extremely wide. “The parking spaces are now narrower, everyone is parked over the white line.

“The bus drivers cross the white line in the middle. It has made the road more dangerous.”

Essex County Council said the 1.2km path, from Bruff Close to Braiswick Lane, will improve provision for cyclists and pedestrians travelling between north Colchester and Colchester North train station.

Colchester Cycling Campaign and other protesters previously said the path is unsafe and the money could be better spent elsewhere.

Will Bramhill, planning officer of the Colchester Cycling Campaign, lodged a formal complaint against it which is under investigation by the Local Government Ombudsman.

A council spokesman said: “Mile End Road is a forward-thinking investment aimed at promoting a shift towards sustainable forms of transport, to help alleviate pressure on the road network over the coming decades and designed with this philosophy in mind.

"It offers a reliable and sustainable link from the north of Colchester to the town centre which is vital to promote employment, education and retail opportunities for residents for years to come.”