Campaigners expecting a fight against a proposed cycle path through Fairfield recreation ground were surprised when the plan was rejected out of hand - before anybody had said a word.
Last night's Kingston Town Neighbourhood Committee was packed as residents opposing plans for a cycle lane through the park prepared to speak out against the scheme, which was first proposed late last year.
But before any arguments were heard, chair Chrissie Hitchcock, with the backing of committee members, refused the application, declaring: "There will be no cycling through Fairfield."
The announcement was met with huge applause from the surprised audience members.
Coun Hitchcock also dismissed a proposed cycle link between Bellevue Road and Mill Street - to the further delight of the residents.
The decision brought an anti-climatic end to an issue that had been rumbling on since November 2012, when the proposal was first approved, then called back in by petitioners.
Tessa Kind, chair of Mill Street Residents' Association, said: "We are all very happy about the decision but it’s a shame they wasted so much time and money on pursuing it for so long."
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