Work has just finished on the installation of a new footway alongside the A4010 (Risborough Road) at Ellesborough and this week, some of those involved in making it happen got together to mark the occasion.

The new path runs for 350 metres, connecting existing footpaths which run north from the Fremantle Court Nursing Home into Stoke Mandeville, and south along the Risborough Road. The scheme provides a safe footway for pedestrians between the nursing home and the nearest shop, which is located within the service station at the junction of Risborough Road and North Lee Lane.

The works were carried out by Buckinghamshire Highways using the HS2 Road Safety Fund, which was made available by the Government to leave a legacy of safer roads for local communities impacted by HS2 construction. Ellesborough Parish Council’s successful application to that fund to improve access for residents and Fremantle Court visitors enabled the creation of the new path. Numerous additional projects have been completed in other locations around the county, all helping to improve road safety.

Steven Broadbent, Cabinet Member for Transport said: “We are delighted to have been able to respond to the local community and to bring about this improvement for local residents and visitors to the Fremantle Court Nursing Home. The A4010 is a very busy road which, together with adjoining roads in the area, has been heavily impacted by HS2 construction in terms of increased HGV traffic, road closures, diversions and traffic management. This scheme, which joins two existing footpaths, will enable residents and visitors to walk to the nearest shop in safety, while also extending the existing footpath from the Terrick roundabout along Risborough Road and into Stoke Mandeville. We know the changes will be welcomed by everyone in the local community.”

Steven added: “The disruption caused by the ongoing HS2 works on our doorstep continues to be a real headache for many local residents but with access to this limited funding, we are at least able to address a range of road safety concerns that might otherwise not have been possible so we can continue in our efforts to improve road safety for everyone across the county.”