CRACKS have appeared in a £250,000 cycle route less than two years after it opened.

The path, through High Woods Country Park, will be repaired after cyclists raised safety fears.

The route, linking the Weston Homes Community Stadium with North Station, opened in November 2009 as part of Colchester’s cycle town status.

Routes were joined up and resurfaced to make it usable in all weathers as part of £4.2million spent in the town over three years.

Paul Smith, borough councillor for St John’s, who uses the cycle route most days, said: “There are cracks, which is not very good at all.

“The cracks aren’t that serious at the moment, but clearly some sort of remedial work will be needed to stop it deteriorating further because it is well used.”

Will Bramhill, of Colchester Cycling Campaign, said he had noticed a crack when Cycling through the country park recently.

He added: “I remember thinking, ‘if I got my tyre caught in that, that could be dangerous’.It’s one of those unfortunate things.

“Colchester sits on a bed of clay soil, which expands and contracts.”

Peter Lynn, who is also a member of the campaign, said: “They are no worse than cracks in many other roads in Colchester, but what’s bad is the fact they have appeared so soon after the work was completed.

“I’m not sure what the excuse is, but people shouldn’t be put off cycling. It’s still safe, but it needs to be fixed.”

A county council spokesman said: “The council is aware that a number of cracks have appeared at the edge of the cycle path that runs through High Woods Country Park.

“We will be carrying out repairs to ensure the path is safe.”