A proposed link between the Exe Estuary Cycle Trail and the top of Exmouth has been opposed by Lympstone Parish Council.

Earlier this month, Exmouth Town Council agreed to allocate £40,000 of funding towards the estimated £200,000 cost of the new path, which would run through Lower Halsdon Farm to the A376.

However, Lympstone councillors are concerned that this would increase the number of cyclists using the trail – which directs cyclists along narrow roads through the centre of the village.

The vice-chairman of the council, Councillor Richard Eastley, said: “From where the trail comes out on Sowden Lane, with the narrowness of the road there, if you’re driving a car you’re very likely to get bumped by cyclist, and if you’re old you worry if you will be allowed to drive afterwards, because if you hit cyclists or a pedestrian the driver is nearly always deemed at fault.

“These cyclists come down at a rate of knots – they don’t even look some of them.

“I object to any increase in cyclists through the village until something else is done to take them away from the centre of the village.”

The proposed link is being put forward as a partnership between Exmouth Town Council, East Devon District Council, Devon County Council, Exmouth Cycle Group, Sustrans and the National Trust.