VILLAGERS in Backwell are celebrating after being given a grant to make one of their crossings safer.

Backwell Parish Council has been given £4,500 by Bristol Airport’s community fund to widen the pavement at a crossing in West Town Road.

The crossing, near the Rising Sun pub, was installed in March last year after years of campaigning by the parish council.

But due to the narrow pavement, dog walkers and people with buggies, wheelchairs and mobility scooters have been finding it difficult to use the facility.

Nick Hewitt, of Kellways, collected more than 70 signatures last September to appeal for the pavement to be widened on the main road.

North Somerset Council agreed the work could take place, but said it could not pay for the improvements, so Backwell Parish Council applied to Bristol Airport for a grant.

Parish council clerk Jane Stone said: “We are really pleased, it’s absolutely brilliant.

“When the crossing was first installed there were a few problems regarding how narrow it was for people with buggies and dog walkers. People have been finding it dangerous to access the crossing.”

Work to widen the pavement, which is just 0.6m at its narrowest point, will cost £4,850 and Backwell Parish Council is expected to agree to pay the extra £350 at its next meeting.

Work is expected to begin at the start of the next financial year in the spring.