Work has begun on a £1m scheme designed to make it easier for people to walk and cycle to and from Minehead.

Somerset County Council is seeking to widen and improve the existing footpath and cycle route which connects Minehead to the Marsh Lane housing development in Dunster via the A39.

The new facilities will provide a safe route from the homes into Minehead, including for pupils attending West Somerset College on Bircham Road.

To allow this work to be carried out, temporary traffic lights and a 40mph speed limit will be in force on the A39 until mid-February 2023.

Strongvox Homes delivered a small amount of cycle paths as part of its development of 54 homes on Marsh Lane in Dunster, which was constructed after detailed permission was granted by West Somerset Council in August 2015.

The £1M scheme – which is funded entirely through the council’s own funds – will see these initial links connected up with new and enhanced ‘pathways’ along the A39.

This new route will run from Marsh Lane across the Elliscombe roundabout, past the proposed site of a new swimming pool and along Bircham Road to the entrance of West Somerset College.

The scheme will see the existing carriageways narrowed, bus stops reconfigured, new “tactile” crossings and traffic islands introduced, signage improved and important drainage works carried out to prevent flooding along the route.

Councillor Mike Rigby, portfolio holder for transport and digital, said: “It’s really pleasing to see this important scheme commence to provide a much-needed active travel corridor between these two towns.

“Improving our walking and cycling provision across the county is a major priority for this council, to enable people to use more sustainable modes of transport, which benefits their health and well-being and the environment.”

To allow the work to be carried out, a 40 mph temporary speed limit and temporary traffic lights will be in force between Marsh Street and the Elliscombe roundabout, as well as on Marsh Lane itself.

While the Marsh Lane lights will be in force between October 17 and 28, the traffic lights on the A39 itself will be in force until February 10, 2023, according to the council’s own Travel Somerset roadworks portal.