A much needed new surface has been laid on the muddy path between Claverton Down and Combe Down.

Your local councillors David Martin and Nicholas Coombes have been working for years to improve the footpath. There is now only one week left to sign their petition to have the path upgraded at www.ourcampaign.org.uk/muddypath.

They plan to hand in the petition to the Lib Dem in charge of transport at the council cabinet meeting next week. The petition will then be sent to a government planning inspector who will be deciding in the next few months.

Those who have followed the formal processes associated with registering the path know that these things take a very long time. Therefore your Lib Dem councillors asked that a temporary surface be laid to improve the path in the mean time. The shingles were laid between Christmas and the new year.

The new temporary surface runs from Claverton Down Road all the way to the National Trust owned field. However, so save money it covers a 2m wide strip instead of the full legal width of the path.

“This work was desparately needed,” said Cllr Nicholas Coombes, “the temporary surface is good value for money and will allow local residents to enjoy the path through the wet weather.”