New cycle paths said to pit pedestrians against bikers have been branded a “deathtrap” amid fears someone will be seriously hurt.

The scheme near St Augustine’s roundabout in Longport includes separated cycle tracks, pedestrian crossings and a new 20mph zone.

Kent County Council (KCC) says the plans - drawn up with Active Travel England - are designed to encourage new or less confident cyclists into the area while “maintaining clear pedestrian routes”.

But the new project, set to be completed in November, has been heavily criticised by the National Federation of the Blind, which says it puts cyclists directly in conflict with any pedestrian using the pavement.

Meanwhile, some city residents say the scheme is confusing and unnecessary.

The project, between the city centre and Littlebourne Road, includes separate red cycle tracks for part of the route, but on narrow streets cyclists will be on the road.

Asked her thoughts by KentOnline, Ruth Slattery, 79, said the work is “totally unnecessary”.

“I have never seen many people cycle up and down this road so it is a total waste of money,” she said.

“The road is not going to be wide enough.

“If you get two massive lorries coming down here on either side, they will hit each other's mirrors or crash.”

Meanwhile, Canterbury Christ Church University student Adam Kavanagh, 26, said of the scheme: “It’s confusing and I don’t consider it a bike path because I don’t see any cyclists going down it.

“Bikes just go on the roads here and it’s quite chilled - it’s not like London.”

Describing the new paths as “dangerous”, Mr Kavanagh said: “For pedestrians, there is a bit of an illusion where the cycling side is lower than the pedestrian one.

“I feel like people will misjudge it and break ankles.”

Jamie Marchetti, 33, is “puzzled” by the work and is confused about where he should walk.

“My initial thoughts were quite positive for increased space for pedestrians and something for cyclists,” the Canterbury Christ Church worker said.

“But following the work, it is a bit of an eyesore.

“The choice of colour is very odd and there doesn’t seem to be any markings.”

Sarah Gayton, street access campaign coordinator for the National Federation of the Blind, says concerns raised about the project were not acted upon.

She said the designs “bring any pedestrian into direct conflict with the explosion of people now using e-bikes, e-scooters and delivery bikes, many of which are illegal, ridden at speed with no consideration at all for any pedestrians”.

“These designs are dangerous, discriminatory and are a deathtrap for any blind or visually impaired pedestrian,” she said.

The scheme includes separated cycle tracks for part of the route along Monastery Street and a stepped cycle path in Longport.

Cyclists will be on the road for the narrower streets, such as Burgate and Church Street. Additional pedestrian crossing points have been proposed along Longport near St Augustine’s Roundabout and Littlebourne Road outside St Martin’s Hospital.

There will also be 20mph zones in Albert Road, Church Street (St Paul’s), Edward Road, Ivy Lane, Love Lane and St Paul’s Terrace.

Longport’s speed limit will also be reduced from its junction with Monastery Street to near North Holmes Road.

Lower Chantry Street will also have a 20mph zone from its junction with Longport to near New Dover Road.

And Monastrey Street, from its junction with Longport to its junction with Lady Woottons Green, is also included.

The scheme was awarded funding from the second portion of the government’s Active Travel Fund and will be fully inspected once completed.

An Active Travel England spokesman said: “Before receiving government funding, councils must now prove that proposed projects will be safe, accessible and subject to proper consultation with local communities.

“Our inspections team fully assesses each government-funded scheme, working with councils to ensure design standards are met, and inspects schemes on completion to ensure compliance.”

KCC secured £565,439 for schemes across the county from Active Travel England’s Capability Fund.

A spokesman for the authority said: “The current lane widths and alignment are temporary while the construction works take place.

“The scheme has been designed – in consultation with Active Travel England – to slow vehicles down by reducing the carriageway widths, providing sufficient space for two HGVs to pass.

“The final lane widths will be completed once the road has been resurfaced which is planned to take place by November 2023.”