Kate Patterson, of Highfield Road, was concerned that some of the proposed route for the Shipwrights Way included main roads open to traffic.

She felt this would make it unsuitable and dangerous for children and would ruin the chance for families to cycle in groups alongside one another.

Mrs Patterson said: "Petersfield definitely needs a cycle way. But it needs to be safe. It needs to be so families can enjoy the countryside and chat as you go along – you don't want to be worrying about speeding motorists."

The Shipwrights Way is a joint venture being organised by both Hampshire County Council and East Hampshire District Council, along with other organisations such as the South Downs Joint Committee and the Forestry Commission.

They arranged for a feasibility study to be carried out to try to find the best route for the 28-mile path.

Mrs Patterson said: "They have done a feasibility study of the route which is mixed road and bridleway and we have an outline map of the route.

"It includes a number of sections which are quite steep and features a lot of busy roads.

"I am campaigning to remove the road sections so you can cycle it easily as a family or in a group of friends, and to select a route with no steep gradients so young children are able to cycle along it."

Under the current proposals, the route runs from Queen Elizabeth Country Park to Buriton and then joins traffic at The Causeway towards Petersfield.

Cyclists get some respite from speeding cars when they pedal up bridleways through the town towards Steep, before they join the cyclepath alongside the A3 and head to Liss.

From there the Shipwrights Way will journey through Liss Forest and Forest Mere and join a bridleway skirting behind Longmoor and Woolmer Forest. The path continues north, joining traffic along the B3004 near Passfield Common, before linking with a bridleway into Whitehill and Bordon.

The final leg snakes up to Headley Park and joins with existing bridleways that lead cyclists to the family-friendly paths in Alice Holt Forest.

Mrs Patterson said petitions are at Cycleworks and Owen Cycles in Lavant Street, Petersfield or visit www.actionoffroad.wordpress.com

EHDC's community access officer Sarah Hobbs said: "One of the main aspirations of the Shipwrights Way is to make it family friendly and accessible to everyone.
"We are trying to make as much of it off-road as possible. Currently about two thirds is off-road with the remainder on quieter roads.
"The Causeway is one of the major roads on the route but it does already have a cycle lane running its length."