PLANNED improvements to pavements on a busy road have been welcomed by councillors.

Hertfordshire Highways is proposing to resurface the pavement on Old North Road, near the junction with York Way in Royston. In addition, they will install new kerbing and widen an existing island in the road which allows people to cross.

The scheme has the backing of Royston Town Council’s General Purpose and Highways Committee.

Speaking at their meeting on Monday, Cllr Elizabeth Freeman said: “I’m very much in favour of this. The pavement is uneven and when it rains it gets completely flooded.

“And if you try to cross at the island with a bike or a pushchair you always have wheels sticking out into the road, it’s very dangerous.”

Previous attempts had been made to install a pelican crossing on Old North Road, but this was ruled out due to problems complying with highways regulations.

Cllr Lindsay Davidson said: “If we can’t get a crossing then it seems to be that widening the island is the next best thing. Improvements are urgently needed for the safety of pedestrians.”

The work is set to be carried out later this year.