A NEW footway has been built in Shinfield to help pedestrians avoid the busy stretch of Hyde End Road in Spencers Wood.

After listening to residents concerns about large vehicles mounting the existing footway, the Wokingham Borough Council have built the new path as an alternative route for pedestrians to take.

The path leads away from Hyde End Road near the garden centre and joins up with the existing footway near Appleton Way, which is currently in the process of being widened.

Councillor Pauline Jorgensen, executive member for highways and transport, said: “The safety of our residents is our number one priority. We’ve listened to them and are pleased to offer them this alternative route where they can feel safe and secure.”

Work started to build the footpath at the beginning of this year and took two months to finish, which was slightly quicker than the council anticipated.

Local campaigner Ian Young believes the new path is a great addition to the area.

He said: “This path is a very welcome addition to the local infrastructure, particularly for those residents keen to walk to and from our local schools.

“It is the culmination of a lot of effort from a whole team of people from the community and elsewhere."