TRAFFIC calming measures and a new speed limit will be introduced along a Portbury road popular with walkers, cyclists and horse riders.

The measures have been planned for Sheepway after Portbury Parish Council raised issues about the speed of vehicles using the road in 2008.

The parish council has worked closely with North Somerset Council since then to come up with a suitable scheme which both authorities agree on.

Now a �7,700-plan has been approved to install a build-out near to the junction with Moor Gate to create a pinch-point in the road.

This will make drivers slow down but also allow larger vehicles through by over-running the build-out.

Advanced warning signs will be put in place and carriageway edge warning lines will also be painted to visibly narrow the road when approaching the pinch point.

A 40mph limit will run from the build-out along Sheepway toward the junction with The Portbury Hundred near to the M5 junction 19.

From the build-out to the roundabout with The Portbury Hundred near Portishead there will be a 30mph limit.

Portbury Parish Council chairman Pete Cooke said: “This should make it safer for people coming out of Moor Gate.

“It is just a small way of trying to request people to go somewhat slower on a rural road.

“By putting in a pinch point it will force traffic to slow down slightly.

“That road is usually busy with horse riders, cyclists and walkers.”