Cyclists and ramblers have criticised a new route which links north Oxford to the west of the city for being too narrow.

The pathway connects Botley Road, west Oxford, to Walton Well Road, Jericho, via university housing in Venneit Close and Cripley Meadow allotments' car park.

It follows years of campaigning by cyclists who want to avoid the Botley Road railway bridge.

Keith Holly, footpaths secretary for the Oxford City branch of the Ramblers' Association, said the route was an excellent scheme but was too narrow to safely accommodate cyclists and pedes- trians.

He said: "It has given both cyclists and walkers an extremely useful route which makes a hassle-free way to reach Jericho from Botley Road.

"From the ramblers' point of view it's a very pleasant walk. The only reservation is it is a bit narrow.

"If someone was walking on it a cyclist may have to swerve on to the new grass either side, which would prevent it from growing."

He said he was also concerned that the narrow pathway might be used as a precedent for others in the city.

Ed Wigzell, Oxford University's environment and travel officer, said the cycle path -- which starts at the end of a driveway by the student housing block -- was two metres wide to prevent cars continuing onto the route.

He added: "Three metres is better but two metres is within the minimum standards for the type of path."

Simon Banks, spokesman for the West Oxford branch of safer cycling campaign group Cyclox, said the pathway offered a high-quality, almost traffic-free route.

But he said the sharp road humps on Roger Dudman Way remained quite a hazard to cyclists.

Susanna Pressel, city councillor for Jericho and Osney, said there were other teething problems. She said: "It's only open at certain times as it goes through university land. They have decided to close it at night to keep the students safe.

"But they haven't put the times on the gates so people who arrive late will not know when it is closed."

The path is currently open from November to March at 8am to 6pm, April to May at 7am to 7pm, June to August from 7am to 9pm and September to October from 7am to 7pm.

An Oxford University spokesman said the opening times were negotiated with the city council at the planning stage.

She said: "The council will be putting up a sign."