A NEW £70,000 scheme to improve roads and pavements in Minchinhampton is underway.

Work started on the four-week Impact Scheme, which involves resurfacing and removing unnecessary signs last week.

As part of the work, West End will be closed for around 10 days until the middle of next week.

Town council chairman Eilish Cope says it will benefit the village greatly. "The scheme is really to repair damaged pavements and make sure that they are accessible for everyone," she said.

"It will cause some disruptions, particularly around West End but when it's finished it will be better for everyone.

"There were quite a few cracks in the pavements, which someone could have tripped on, so it was imperative that the work was done.

"Rather than do all the work separately they've put it all together in one big project."

The work, which will include the High Street, Market Street, Parson's Court, Westend, Well Hill and Bell Lane, is due to finish at the beginning of February.

It was initially proposed that two cracked paving slabs in the High Street - outside the Cotswold Club - would be removed and replaced with an extra strength tarmac to better withstand heavy beer barrels.

But following complaints from nearby residents and workers, who claimed the tarmac would not be in keeping with the rest of the village, highways officers have changed the plans.

John Roberts, of Gloucestershire County Council said: "We originally planned to replace the damaged paving slabs with coloured tarmac, as this part of the pavement has been prone to damage by delivery vehicles in the past.

"However, following concerns from a number of local residents, the council has reviewed its plans and will now be replacing the slabs with paving stones to match the originals."