THE FINAL piece of the jigsaw to improve road and pavement improvements in Sidford can be put in place at last.

THE FINAL piece of the jigsaw to improve road and pavement improvements in Sidford can be put in place at last.

Thanks to an agreement reached this week with the landowner of Porch Cottage in Church Street, a wall can now be moved back to allow the path to be widened.

At this point the pavement is at its narrowest point and earlier this year the Sidmouth Herald highlighted residents' fear at negotiating it when large lorries or buses try to squeeze past other traffic on the busy A3052.

Several pedestrians have been hit by passing vehicles mirrors and there have also been incidents where vehicles have mounted the footway.

Devon County Councillor Stuart Hughes was celebrating the news, especially as it will prevent DCC having to undergo a protracted compulsory purchase order.

He said: "This is brilliant news and the residents of Sidford, who take their lives in their hands walking along this narrow footway that slopes towards the highway are going to be delighted.

"This has been a long drawn-out saga and at long last it looks as though it is reaching a happy conclusion."

It is now hoped that work on the final piece in the jigsaw will begin in early 2009 which will be a great way to start the New Year.