Footpath completed for walkers at Gallowhill Road, Ovingham

The tarmac footpath on Gallowhill Road, Ovingham, is now complete, providing a safe footway for pedestrians on a busy section of the road.

Work to provide a footpath started seven years ago, originally funded by Paul Kelly from his Northumberland County Council Small Schemes Fund before he retired as a councillor.

Unfortunately, the funding ran out and only two-thirds of the footway was completed.

The new footpath near Ovingham (Image: Ovingham Parish Council)

Local councillor Karen Quinn provided the funding required to complete the path, but unforeseen issues relating to incorrectly laid telephone and electric cables meant work could not go ahead until cables were re-laid.

Delays meant quotes for completion of work had risen and a further £5,000 was provided by councillor Holly Waddell from her Small Schemes Fund.

Chair of Ovingham Parish Council, Doreen Jordan, said: "The need for a safe footway on this dangerous stretch of the Gallowhill Road was brought to the attention of the county council over seven years ago.

"The unforeseen problems with the original grass verge halted work until extra funding could be found.

"We had to rely on our local councillors in office at the time to provide this extra funding. Residents are so pleased it is now complete and they can now walk safely to and fro from their chalets into the village.

"We thank Northumberland County Council for their funding contribution and all three local councillors involved for theirs, without this the work could not have gone ahead.

"The county council workforce was personally thanked for their hard work and congratulated on their excellent workmanship.

"Many residents have been in touch thanking me for my time and effort on this," she added.