Work on a new cycleway which will link Weston town centre with the college and hospital is due to begin later this month.

North Somerset Council has been granted planning permission to construct the £450,000 Uphill Road North cycleway – one of the key missing links in the district’s network.

The route, which will accommodate cyclists and pedestrians, will form a key part of the Brean to Bristol route.

It will also provide safer route between the town centre and Weston College’s Loxton campus and Weston General Hospital.

Cllr Elfan Ap Rees, North Somerset Council’s executive member with responsibility for sustainable travel, said: “I am delighted we can now start work on this key missing link in the local cycle network.

“The construction of the new cycleway is also an opportunity to improve the overall health of the woodland in the area by removing poor quality trees and re-planting with a greater number of native varieties, covering a much larger area, which will deliver a far greater benefit to local wildlife.

“The new tree-lined route will create a very pleasant off-road cycle route which I’m sure will be well-used by commuters and visitors alike.”

Funding for the cycleway has been provided by the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership through the local growth fund.

The footpath which runs along the west side of Uphill Road North will be widened by two metres, into land leased by Weston Golf Club.

A number of the trees which hang over the road will need to be felled as they pose a risk to public safety – but, for every tree removed, two will be planted.

The new trees will include hawthorns, common oaks, maples stone pines and aspens which are better suited to the seafront location.

The tree works will start at the end of November and continue over the winter to minimise any impact on wildlife.

A partial lane closure of Uphill Road North will be introduced during working hours.

Access to properties in the area will be maintained throughout the works, which are expected to take two to three weeks.

Construction of the new paths will start in the spring and should be completed by summer 2019.

The trees will be planted in autumn 2019.