Developers of a new £29 million Cycle Superhighway between Bradford and Leeds have been accused of taking a "cavalier attitude" to the concerns of residents and businesses affected by the scheme.

Councillor Andrew Carter, who represents Calverley and Farsley and is leader of the Conservative group on Leeds City Council, said the Thornbury to Stanningley section of the 14-mile route would cause major safety issues and a negative impact on trade.

Stuart Andrew, Conservative MP for Pudsey, Horsforth and Aireborough, has echoed the concerns, but CityConnect, the organisation heading up the project, said the scheme had been "carefully considered" to accommodate parking and loading facilities for local businesses and residents.

The proposals, submitted by Bradford Council, Leeds City Council and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, include largely segregated cycle provision which will see the route take over part of the carriageway in areas such as Bradford Road in Thornbury.

Half metre sections of kerb between the cycle track and road are designed to increase safety for cyclists, but Cllr Carter said there was an "obsession with moving the scheme forward" despite major issues for residents and business owners.

"From Stanningley to the Bradford boundary there are a whole string of issues," he said. "Residents and businesses need parking spaces on the highway and are understandably really concerned.

"We were assured these concerns would be addressed, but we are getting more complaints from residents on a daily basis.

"Residents will have to park outside of the cycleway and further into the road, which is just not safe.

"They are taking a cavalier attitude to small businesses, but we are not prepared to accept a single job being placed in doubt through lost trade."

Michael Blackburn, who has lived on Womersley Place, just off Bradford Road, for the past 30 years, said: "It's not just about not being able to park, it's unsafe.

"They've said the restrictions are for our safety and benefit, but people will end up parking and trying to get out of their cars in the full lane of the carriageway."

Malcolm Dytor, postmaster at Woodhall Park Post Office on Bradford Road, said: "It's bound to have an effect on the business if people can't park.

"Some of our customers are in their 70s and 80s, and for them to be trying to get out onto to a three-lane highway from essentially the middle lane of the traffic will be horrendous on this road.

"It's an accident waiting to happen."

Mr Andrew said he had requested a meeting with City Connect to discuss the concerns, and had not ruled out referring the matter to the Secretary of State.

Ginny Leonard, communications and engagement project manager for CityConnect, said that while it was understood there was a level of local opposition to the project, 16 consultation events had been carried out on the Thornbury to Stanningley bypass section, with 78 per cent of residents said to be in favour of the scheme.

"We are unaware of concerns over any major safety issues," she said. "We have had two independent safety audits, neither of which have flagged up major issues.

"Any objections to the scheme have largely been associated with parking.

"The CityConnect scheme was successful in demonstrating a new approach to cycling in Leeds/Bradford, and consequently it is important that the scheme reflects a safe, segregated facility."