Taking away traffic lights from a junction along one of the main roads in and out of Norwich city centre would be 'stupid and dangerous', according to angry objectors.

The latest phase of a multi-million pound investment in cycling in the city proposes a segregated city-bound one-way cycle lane in Newmarket Road, between the Daniels Road roundabout and the footpath to Hanover Road.

Council bosses say the £800,000 scheme will improve the blue pedalway, which connects Wymondham, Hethersett and Cringleford to the city centre.

But the proposal to take away the traffic lights at the Christchurch Road/Lime Tree road junction with Newmarket Road has caused controversy.

Council officers want to put a new toucan crossing further to the north-east, which they say will be better for cyclists and reduce traffic queues. Another toucan crossing would be installed on Newmarket Road at the link with Hanover Road.

However, people living nearby are furious at the prospect of losing the traffic lights. They will present a petition to Norwich highways agency committee on Thursday.

Dr Barbara Goodwin will present a petition signed by 300 people. She said: 'There is a very real danger that a stupid and dangerous decision will be taken in relation to these traffic lights.

'I hope that the members of the committee and their officers will recognise their personal responsibility for any accidents, injuries or deaths which may result from any decision to turn this busy junction into an uncontrolled crossing.

'Less dramatically I hope they will recognise the daily disruption of the lives of upwards of 250 households is a large price to pay for speeding up the cyclist's passage along Newmarket Road by an average of less than 10 seconds.'

Norwich Cycling Campaign is supportive of the new cycle lane, but the Norfolk and Norwich Association for the Blind has raised concerns, including that the removal of the traffic lights will make it harder and more dangerous to cross.

A spokeswoman for Transport for Norwich said the consultation responses would be considered. She said: 'Members of NHAC will be considering all responses and any concerns raised at Thursday's meeting before deciding whether to approve the project.'