A council has been accused of ruining one of Witney's prettiest parks by redeveloping a cycle lane and footpath -- and putting up 'horrendous' signs.

Residents said work by Oxfordshire County Council was pointless and were amazed to discover that about £120,000 was being spent on the scheme.

Council contractors have been digging up sections of the road leading to The Leys recreation ground from Station Lane, creating a wider pathway with lanes for cyclists and pedestrians along the route of a footpath.

Signposts have been put up, telling people which lane to use and where the pathway leads -- to a lane joining the A415 and west Witney.

David Harvey, district councillor for South Witney, has voiced concern about the scheme and county officials now plan to discuss the issue with him and other local councillors.

He said: "While I'm in support of having safe cycleways, this scheme is totally over the top."

Paul Smith, who lives in Leys Villas, said: "The fact that pedestrians and cyclists have existed together in complete harmony over the decades appears to be lost on those on the planning team who have wasted a vast amount of money on a totally unnecessary project."

He said his main complaint was with the 'horrendous signs that now 'dominate the area'.

He said: "The Leys has effectively become urbanised and we feel that our attractive environment has been totally des- troyed."

The Leys is looked after by Witney Town Council, but mayor Steve Holborough said it had no involvement with the scheme, other than seeing plans for the cycle path.

He said: "Perhaps they should think about maintaining existing signs, highways and footpaths, before doing work like this."

Cyclist John Goodgame, who was at The Leys with daughter Emily, 11, said: "This just seems ridiculous. I'm flabbergasted by the amount of money they are spending."

A county council spokesman said they were aware of residents' concerns, particularly about the signs, and would be reconsidering them.

He said: "We did this to make life easier for both pedestrians and cyclists to give them a clearer run on a path they previously shared.

"We hope that both will enjoy the new arrangement."