Fulbridge Square – which is made up of Wilberforce Road, Keeton Road and Dryden Road – is currently being transformed into a HomeZone area.

Such areas are designed to be safer for pedestrians – particularly children – and encourage cycling and the use of public transport.

However, the introduction of a one-way scheme in Fulbridge Square, which applies to cyclists as well as motorists, has sparked controversy.

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East of England director for sustainable transport group Sustrans Nigel Brigham said: "A HomeZone is a place where people have priority over cars and other vehicles, and where cycling and walking is strongly promoted.

"It may seem very minor, but to not allow people to cycle both ways along this road is completely contrary to the whole idea of a HomeZone.

"I am amazed at this new system."

Mr Brigham said that, as a cyclist, one of the main attractions of using a bike is being able to take shortcuts, to go where cars cannot, and being able to park up closer to a destination than other vehicles can.

He added: "This new one-way system goes right against what the city council is trying to promote."

City councillor John Bleakney, who is also a keen cyclist, said he believes a mistake has been made.

He said: "I think it is preposturous.

"We are an environment city and one of the first citys to enforce traffic regulations which will restrict cyclists.

"Walking and cycling are the two main means of transport that the city council is encouraging, but by doing this we are breaking our own rules."

However, city council spokesman Mike Lennox claimed the new system would not cause any major disruption for cyclists.

He said: "As new carriageway works proceed, the Fulbridge Square HomeZone will become one-way in an anti-clockwise direction, starting in Shakespeare Avenue from Monday.

"Nigel Brigham has asked for a contra-flow lane for cyclists, but this is not feasible for a number of reasons.

"In fact, the one-way system will require only a short detour via Dryden Road and Wilberforce Road for cyclists so this should not present any problems."

As well as Peterborough, HomeZones are currently being piolted in Leeds, Manchester, Plymouth, Nottingham, West Ealing, Lambeth, Sittingbourne in Kent and Magor Village in Monmouthshire.