CAMPAIGNERS who lost the fight to prevent a cycle path being built in Colchester’s Crouch Street are trying to convince cyclists to use alternative routes.

Shopkeepers, councillors and residents criticised plans for the £126,000 path, but were unable to prevent work from starting.

Bill Frame, Colchester Council ward member, and Paula Whitney, Colchester co-ordinator for Friends of the Earth, are urging cyclists to use one of two other routes, which are in line to be upgraded at taxpayers’ expense.

The existing route goes up Rawstorn Road, at the junction with Crouch Street and along to the footbridge on Balkerne Hill.

There are proposals to raise the railings on the footbridge to allow cyclists to travel all the way into town.

Another alternative is to use the path behind the Tesco Express store in Crouch Street West and alongside Southway.

This has not yet been converted into a cycle path, but campaigners say they have learnt planning permission is in place.

Ms Whitney said: “This is a safe alternative instead of the hazardous Crouch Street west route. It is perfectly feasible.”

Mr Frame added: “There are very few pedestrians going that way and it splits cyclists and pedestrians.”

The route they campaigned against will force cyclists to cut across a supermarket entrance, use a subway and pavements, and cycle between parked cars.