Neighbours in roads connected by an alleyway that has been altered to allow cyclists as well as pedestrians under the council’s Mini Holland scheme say its poor design is putting lives at risk.

The path running between Howard Road and Aubrey Road, Walthamstow has one lane for bikes and another for pedestrians but residents say the signs are not clear and motorcyclists are also using the path.

Campaign group Waltham Forest Streets For All collected statements from people opposed to the project, which they say is poorly designed, to be used at a public inquiry scheduled for September 5.

But Waltham Forest Council informed them they would have to wait a further six months for their voices to be heard after it failed to advertise the meeting in advance.

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“I am just outraged,” said campaign leader Wendy Davis.

“This date has been known for months.

“Our members, all unpaid, have taken time to submit objections. Many have re-arranged their diaries in order to attend the inquiry.

“They have created a two-way path and one of the main problems is that the cyclists cut across the pedestrian’s path. It’s quite dangerous if they’re going fast.

“We want the barriers back and cyclists to dismount. It is not a big deal to walk through that short bit just so everyone feels safe.

“The council only spoke to a handful of residents in Aubrey Road and they didn’t talk to anyone in Howard Road before doing this.”

It comes after last month’s high-profile case in which a cyclist killed a woman after he crashed into her at high speed in a busy London street.

One resident who gave his name as John said he wants the alleyway changed to its original design that did not allow cycles or motorcycles after his 10-year-old daughter was nearly knocked down.

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He said: “She was walking home from school when the scooter came around. She came home and told me it only missed her by a bit.

“Pizza delivery guys on scooters use it as a short-cut and come out quite fast on the other side.

“I just think it is a risk and it has made it worse for pedestrians.

“We were fine as it was before.”

Jane Harrington she sees bikes “zooming” down the “badly designed” path and is calling on the council to take action before someone gets hurt.

She said: “When I walked through this morning there was a lady pushing a pram and had another child and she was not even aware she was in the path of the cyclists.

“If there had been a cyclist there could have been an accident.

“I don’t think anybody is against cyclists but we do think that it is unsafe - they whizz past you.”

Cllr Clyde Loakes, deputy leader and cabinet member for the environment, said in the last three years, both prior to and after the changes were made, there have been no reported accidents in the alleyway.

He added: “The Department for Transport (DfT) advised this local meeting could go ahead on Tuesday 5 September – however, we felt it important that the meeting was postponed to ensure that local residents have every opportunity to make representations in advance and at the meeting, as we are aware that other local residents are supportive of the works.

“The rescheduled meeting is set to go ahead in February 2018, however we are making representations to bring this forward.

“Public safety is our primary concern and we want to make sure that everyone has a chance to share their views with us.”