A £6m active travel scheme to help Surrey meet net zero targets in Guildford has been rejected over concerns cyclists would compromise pedestrian safety.

A new cycle and shared pedestrian scheme along London Road in Burpham has been recommended for approval and has been backed by the borough’s most senior highways and environment members.

Surrey County Council has applied for funding from Active Travel England to create segregated footpaths and cycleways.

However, this plan was abandoned for safety reasons, with opponents saying the narrow roads would bring cyclists into conflict with pedestrians and leave little room for heavy goods vehicles.

It had the support of various ward councilors such as Guildford MP Zoe Franklin and George Potter; these argued that the project, although not perfect, was a significant improvement over the current setup. According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Politicians have said that currently unsafe roads and footpaths are stopping people from walking and cycling, causing further congestion along the main road in and out of Guildford town centre.

Others opposed it, saying the plan would put pedestrians and cyclists in direct conflict with each other, prevent vulnerable people from using public transport and create choke points in its narrowest section.

Ultimately, the objectors won, with Surrey County Council leader Tim Oliver saying a line had now been drawn after two years of planning.

Yasmin Broome, on behalf of the Surrey Disabled People’s Coalition, told the council that cyclists continued to travel too quickly and erratically along London Road.

“Please keep our disabled community safe and end these proposals,” he said.