Tamworth Regional Council will begin constructing the $1 million shared footpath and cycleway in Manilla Rd, Tribe St and Johnston St on May 4.

NSW Roads and Maritime Services has stumped up $750,000 towards the project, which will provide a link from Oxley Vale into the city centre.

But some residents have expressed concerns that building a cycleway outside the Alblas Lodge and St Andrew’s Village aged care facilities poses a risk to the elderly.

North Tamworth resident Rex McGee said the cycleway would leave elderly and frail “pedestrians ... competing with cyclists”.

“In my opinion, our elderly citizens need better care and should not be placed in situations of increased danger,” he said.

However, council’s manager of civil construction Graeme McKenzie said the installation of a new speed limit and “traffic calming devices” in the area would improve safety.

A permanent 40km/h zone between Piper St and Johnston St was established this week, as well as an extended pedestrian refuge and new symbols and line marking.

“Given the increased traffic and pedestrian volumes in this precinct, the works and the new shared cycleway will deliver improved safety and better facilities for all road users,” he said.

“Conditions applied to the funding require that a significant portion of the cycleway is constructed by the end of June 2015, with the remainder completed in the following financial year.”

Mr McKenzie said anyone wanting regular updates on the project’s progress could sign up for weekly updates by emailing trc@tamworth.nsw.gov.au