A NEW phase of work to improve cycle and pedestrian links between Portishead and Abbotts Leigh began this week.

A new path for runners, walkers and cyclists is being constructed alongside the A369, the main commuter route from Portishead to Bristol, between Pill Road and Dennyview Road.

A central island is also being built in the middle of the highway by the Blackmoor Road bus stops, making it easier for local people and St Katherine’s School pupils to cross the busy road.

The works, costing £120,000, are the latest part of North Somerset Council’s programme to provide an alternative safer route for cyclists and pedestrians between Portishead, Portbury Dock, Pill and Abbots Leigh. Improvements already carried out include paths between Portishead, Sheepway and Portbury Dock.

The programme is provided by Department for Transport funding through the Local Sustainable Transport Fund, which is improving transport links in and around many areas including North Somerset.

Cllr Elfan Ap Rees, North Somerset Council’s executive member for transport, said: “The A369 is a busy road and daunting for cyclists and pedestrians. These improvements will give people a convenient, dedicated route along the A369 and make it safer for local school children to cross the road.”

The improvement works will be carried out between 9.30am and 3.30pm from Monday to Friday and the work is due to be completed by the end of December.