The construction of a cycle path from Epsom Common to the town centre has sparked outrage among residents living along part of the route.

The residents of West Hill, Epsom, have raised serious concerns after workmen started to build the path, which will be shared by cyclists and pedestrians, last month.

Samantha Bryant, from West Hill, said workmen are "ripping out green space" and grass verges in order to make way for the cycle path through the conservation area.

Ms Bryant said: "They are digging up the road outside my house. They are installing a cycle path that as far as I’m concerned is very hazardous."

Peter Baines, from West Hill, believes the cycle path will go along the B280 from Epsom Common and the Noble Park development all the way to Epsom station.

Mr Baines said: "Where the footpath becomes too narrow, they are going to put up signs saying ‘cyclists please dismount’ and expect cyclists to get off their bikes. I don’t believe that’s going to work."

With driveways backing onto West Hill, and he said: "There could well be an accident between emerging motorists and cyclists riding too fast on the cycle way." Another resident Steve Barnes said they have not been notified or consulted about the construction of the cycle path and raised concerns over its layout.

Mr Barnes said the works demonstrated a "complete lack of regard to the future safety of users of the path once constructed and total lack of regard to the conservation area".

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Plans for the cycle route

A Surrey County Council spokesman said when housebuilder Linden Homes was given planning permission for a development, it was also "told to build" a cycle path.

He said: "We commissioned the cycle path but the developers, Linden Homes, are the ones who are paying for, and doing the work.

"The cycle path is being built to encourage people to cycle into Epsom town centre and give them a safe route for them to get to shops, school, the train station and work."

He said they carried out a saftey audit, work started in November and construction is scheduled to finish within the next month. An Epsom Council spokesman said the footway and cycle path falls within the public highway and has been designed by the county council.

He said the borough council’s planning committee required its construction in principle as part of the West Park hospital site redevelopment approved in 2007.

At the same time, he said work is also taking place to restore to the existing Epsom Common paths, which have deteriorated quite badly in some areas.