FEARS have been raised for the safety of pedestrians after a pavement has been cut in half at Hamworthy, Poole.

The path running past the Old Rope Walk along Blandford Road has been drastically reduced in width by work to make a new junction at Rigler Road, leading to the Twin Sails Bridge.

Hamworthy resident Fred Winwood said the path had been cut from approximately 8ft to 4ft.

“I am genuinely concerned for the safety of the children and their families trying to access their schools,” said the former Hamworthy councillor and Mayor of Poole.

The already busy Blandford Road, which is congested at peak times, will have another three-way traffic light controlled junction at Rigler Road.

And the three schools of Hamworthy First and Middle and Carter Community are all accessed from Blandford Road.

He said he believed the path had been cut down to allow a bigger turning space for lorries and large vehicles such as those carrying Sunseeker yachts, which are built at the port.

“Once again it looks like the residents have been sacrificed for the needs of industry,” he said.

Julian McLaughlin, head of transportation, said: “The footpath has been reduced from approximately 6ft to 4ft, which is the minimum width required to accommodate pedestrians, pushchairs and motorised mobility vehicles.

“This is a permanent reduction and is necessary to allow vehicles to turn out of Rigler Road. The safety of local residents has been taken into consideration and schools can be safely accessed via a number of routes.”