A hazardous stretch of road in Tunley is to have a footpath built along it after calls from the Parish Council and residents to make it safer.
The section of the B3115 from Blind Lane to Overdale separates the two sections of the village and residents have to walk on the road if they are not able to get between the two areas by vehicle.
Bath & North East Somerset Council is therefore funding work to create a footpath to connect the two areas, which will involve a full road closure for four to six weeks during the summer school holidays.
Councillor Anthony Clarke (Conservative, Lansdown), Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “I am delighted that we are able to support the residents of Tunley in making it safer to walk from one end of the village to the other.
“It is currently very difficult for anyone who wants to walk along this stretch of road, particularly for pushchair and wheelchair users.
“The village has been in need of this investment for many years and unfortunately the quickest and most efficient way of carrying out this work is with a full road closure.
“We apologise for any inconvenience that is caused to road users while this work is carried out to ensure the safety of this community.”
The work is set to start on Monday, 25th July, and take four to six weeks to complete with diversion signs in place.
A drop-in information event on the work is being held at Tunley Village Hall on Tuesday, 5th July, from 6pm to 8pm.
Councillor Martin Robinson, Chairman of Dunkerton & Tunley Parish Council, said: “Dunkerton & Tunley Parish Council is highly delighted that B&NES council will shortly be installing the long awaited footpath linking Overdale with the rest of the village of Tunley.
“This new footpath will bring about a much needed improvement in safety for pedestrians walking between the two sections of the village.”
Ann Meloy, a Tunley resident, said: “Either my husband or I walk our dog every day and have to run the gauntlet of impatient or fast drivers on this road, even when we are pushing our dog as far into the hedge as he will go. One of our dogs was actually killed on this road.
“I have experienced verbal abuse from drivers because I am on the road and have had my arm knocked on some occasions by wing mirrors.
“The new footway will be wonderful. The idea of being able to walk without fear of being abused will be a relief. Over the past few years, new people, who have young children, have moved into the houses that front directly onto the B3115 who have young children and it will certainly be an asset to them.
“It will also mean that we will feel more of a community than currently being cut off.”
During the road closure there will also be changes to the 768 and 179 bus services. The 768 service will continue to serve Tunley village via an alternate route, but will not stop at Camerton or Timsbury.
The 179 service will not serve Tunley but continue to serve Timsbury and will divert through Camerton to the A367. Stops between Tunley village and the Camerton Road junction will not be in use during the works.
For more information, including a leaflet with bus service information, visit www.bathnes.gov.uk/tunleyfootway.
