Architects of the £3m Tolworth Greenway project defended their design against an onslaught of unimpressed residents at the latest presentation.

Tom Sudhoff, landscape architect at Studio Egret West, the team behind the project design, said he was pleased with the final plans despite a backlash of protests.

He said: “We love the approach that the council is willing to take to improve the area.”

Residents at the meeting in Tolworth Tower on Wednesday night raised concerns about the fragmented colour-scheme, the 20mph speed limit, and the traffic on the roundabout.

Mary-Ann Sorci, from nearby Raeburn Avenue, said: “It is a waste of money.

"All they had to do was take the barriers down and let Tesco do all the rest.

“Twenty miles an hour at three o’clock in the morning is ridiculous. Tolworth Broadway already makes more money than any road in the area because of the parking charges.”

Defending the colour scheme, Mr Sudhoff said: “We couldn’t use lots of shrubs in that area because of the cyclists and pedestrians. It would be difficult to maintain.

“The scheme adds a bit of interest and visual stimulation. With one colour you tend to see chewing gum stains more easily. If you have variance of colour it detracts from that.”

Project manager Rod Raffell, of North Midland Construction, revealed plans for the next 24 weeks of building.

Mr Raffell said: “The nature of the job itself will mean some disruption, but at all times we will be maintaining access to the shops and businesses. We won’t impinge on any pedestrian’s movements.

“When we start the work we will go through all the businesses. We have got their phone numbers and we will obviously keep them informed.”

The project involves suspending parking bays during off-peak hours while aiming to maintain two-way traffic.

Construction of the footways will take place first with only half of the footpath being paved at one time. Work on the roads will start in the summer.

Peter Boddy, team leader, said: “If there are instances where TfL think the building work is causing problems, or if residents think so, then we will pull the traffic barriers off and deal with it.”

A 20mph speed limit will affect the road from the roundabout up to Ewell Road with a 20mph restriction at the roundabout.

The first barrier will be taken down in a ceremonial event tomorrow (Tuesday, March 19).