Construction on a bicycle path near Emory University has been temporarily halted by a court order.

DeKalb County Superior Court Judge Gregory Adams issued a temporary restraining order Wednesday that stops work on the PATH Foundation's latest trail after neighbors filed an appeal with the county zoning board. County Attorney William Linkous will challenge the order, a county spokesperson said.

The planned South Peachtree Creek Multiuse Trail is seven tenths of a mile long, and is planned as a link between Medlock and Mason Mill parks.

Advocates say the path would create a safe route for cyclists traveling from the suburban neighborhoods east of Clairmont Road to Emory and, ultimately, Atlanta. Currently, they must traverse busy streets such as North Decatur Road. Supporters also say the path will allow more people, especially older and less ambulatory people, to access Mason Mill Park.

Critics, many of whom live around the forested Mason Mill Park, oppose cutting trees and pouring concrete in the nature area. They also contend the path would cause soil erosion and contaminate Peachtree Creek.

The restraining order was sought by a group called the Three Forks Heritage Alliance. The organization filed an appeal Monday of the PATH Foundation's land disturbance permit, according to the judge's order. The Alliance sought the restraining order, claiming their appeal to the zoning board should have halted construction.

The judge agreed, and ordered PATH to stop cutting trees and moving land until the zoning board can hear the matter. A hearing is expected by April 9.

The county will challenge the restraining order, Linkous, the county attorney, said through a spokesperson. He said the county did not receive the legally required notice of Wednesday's hearing before Judge Adams.