Negative reaction to Walton’s new cycle paths has prompted a petition calling on the council to remove them. 

Opponents to the paths said it made the road too narrow and unsafe. 

Russell Martin, who started the petition, said the majority of the 700-plus signatures came within the first 48 hours of it being created.

He has, so far, only come across two people who are happy about the "silly idea" of cycle lanes, he said. 

Mr Martin said: "Since this work has been done cyclists have already been knocked off their bikes and it's a matter of time before someone is injured."

According to Mr Martin, the route of Prudential Ride London will go along the same roads which are next to the new lanes, but the lanes will remain unused for the cycling event.

The roads in the areas where lanes have been put onto pavements have also been narrowed.

The petition asks: "Who on this planet, in their right mind, would have decided that it would be a good idea to narrow the roads, especially Terrace Road, Walton, by nearly a quarter of its width in order to accommodate cyclists who will never use the new wider foot/cycle path?"

Comments left on the petition raised concern for safety while many others wondered if the £1.8m cost was a waste of money.

A large chunk of this funding came from a Department for Transport grant.

A county council spokesman said: "The new cycle path provides safe access to Walton town centre, residential areas and schools away from traffic and busy roads.

"We have also put in four new crossings across side roads which will make the environment even safer for pedestrians and cyclists."

An anonymous person wrote: "The narrowing of the road has made the overtaking of any serious cyclists, who still use the road because they do not wish to mow down pedestrians or children and dogs, even more dangerous than it was before."

Another commenter said: "I agree the money spent on these widening foot paths which narrows the road need to have their brains tested, the money could have been used in the hospitals caring for the elderly or even providing youth clubs for the younger generation."