A pro-cycling group has hit out at plans to redesign a planned cycle lane along the A259.

Transport Action Network accused the Labour administration on Brighton and Hove City Council of using the planned redesign as a “cover to scrap active travel improvements” along the highway.

Proposals to create a two-way seafront cycle lane from Fourth Avenue to Hove Lagoon look set to be delayed by at least six months to undergo some change before being implemented.

However, the pro-cycling organisation has claimed the move would cost taxpayers tens of millions of pounds, something the council denies.

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Chris Todd, director of Transport Action Network, said: “Labour’s ambition would be admirable if its real intent on scrapping pedestrian and cycle improvements wasn’t so blatant.

“If its concern was genuine, it would proceed with the existing scheme while in parallel drawing up plans for a higher quality proposal for the future.

“The two schemes are perfectly compatible and proceeding in tandem presents the least risk financially and the best deal for local taxpayers.

“If this issue is so urgent why has the administration waited for several weeks before acting? There is no way any improvements, if the current scheme is cancelled, are happening any time soon.”

Labour criticised the comments and said it has no plans to scrap the scheme and called claims the redesign would cost tens of millions of pounds “unfounded scaremongering”.

Council leader Bella Sankey said: “The accusations that we are secretly trying to scrap the scheme are untrue and made in bad faith. Our plans will enhance safe travel for pedestrians and cyclists.

“We think it is incumbent upon us to make sure we implement the very best scheme for this road. We have learned from everyone using the first phase of the seafront scheme, from West Street to Fourth Avenue, what does not work for cyclists, pedestrians - what is safe and what creates traffic congestion and pollution.

“We must get the next phase, from Fourth Avenue to Wharf Road, right.”

Cllr Sankey said the Labour administration had acted “as soon as feasibly possible” after taking office in May,

“It is naive or mischievous to suggest that a new council could act any quicker. We will implement changes to the plan as fast as we can,” she said.