RESIDENTS have cleaned up a “perilous pavement” and asked to reduce the speed limit in the area to 30mph in order to improve road safety.

Last weekend several residents of the Kingcott Mill Farm Park Home Estate in Flax Bourton joined forces to clean up part of a pavement which runs along the busy main road directly outside the estate.

The residents’ proposal, in order for them to have safer access, are to relocate or add bus stops closer to the entrance, reduce the speed limit to a maximum of 30mph and properly and regularly maintain the pavement and foliage.

The Secretary of Kingcott Mill Farm Residents Association, Mike Portingale, called other residents to join him to clear the grit, leaves, and years of build-up themselves.

The group said the pavement in question is a vital connection to public transport and local community services.

Residents said it is difficult to access the bus stops and they are frightened to use the pavement towards Cambridge Batch due to the excessive speed of traffic.

They also feel very unsafe and vulnerable, when walking on the busy road/dirt track in the other direction towards the bus stop for Nailsea, because of the closeness of the oncoming traffic with vehicles travelling in excess of 40mph.

One of the older residents fell on the pavement in the evening during the winter, due to build up of dirt, leaves, grit and lack of light because of overhanging branches.

A North Somerset Council spokesperson said: “We have recently reviewed the speed limits in the village and installed speed indicator signs and enhanced village signage.

“Initial monitoring shows this has been successful and the speed of traffic passing through the village has been reduced.

“Potential issues crossing the road are due to the sheer volume of traffic that uses the A370.

“There are proposals being brought forward by the Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) to improve some of the bus stops in the village and this programme of work is ongoing.

“There is also a scheme planned to make improvements to footpaths and crossing points in the village in the future.”