Councillors are concerned that lighting planned for a joint pedestrian/cycle way in The Green, Devizes, could make the area less attractive and less safe.

At a meeting earlier this year, town councillors approved the principle of lighting along the path that joins Nursteed Road and the access road to the Devizes School campus, which is being widened to allow use by both pedestrians and cyclists.

But at a planning meeting on Tuesday they were highly critical of the kind of lighting Wiltshire Council has in mind.

Coun Ian Hopkins said: “The lighting designs look hideous and will be an eyesore. This is a retrograde step.”

The council has come up with a scheme to put up Victorian-style lampposts five or six metres high fitted with LED lighting along the length of the path, which is being widened to three metres to accommodate both walkers and cyclists.

Coun Judy Rose said: “When lighting was proposed for Quakers Walk the police said it would cause more problems than it solves as it would create pools of darkness where people can lurk. Can we be assured we have the kind of lighting that does not create pools of darkness?”

Deputy town clerk Simon Fisher said the lighting could be brightened or dimmed according to demand.

Committee chairman Coun Sarah Bridewell proposed writing to Wiltshire Council to ask them to investigate low-level lighting and also asked that the path be divided with markings so that cyclists and pedestrians could be segregated. Her motion was approved.