A Kenilworth councillor has said it is the "best Christmas present" she could ask for that works to create a new footpath along a busy piece of Kenilworth road are nearly finished.

Traffic lights have been in place on Knowle Hill this January as a new footpath is made to make the route near Kenilworth School safer to travel.

For county councillor Tracey Drew, seeing spades in the ground has been the culmination of years of work.

"Going way back, when I was elected in 2021, there was one dropped kerb by Fairway Rise, not even a dropped kerb on this side, so wheelchair users, pushchairs, anybody who needed a dropped kerb couldn't cross the road," she told Nub News. 

"They had to do it on this blind brow. 

"When the kids come out [from school], the ones that are heading in the Dalehouse Lane direction, come over the grass and cross where they cannot see.

"Cars are coming, whooshing in both directions."

Cllr Drew said the footpath is the result of years of meetings and discussions on how to improve the section of road, something which only intensified when Kenilworth School moved to Glasshouse Lane in 2023.

The project has been funded from Park Hill ward's delegated budget from the past few years.

The Green Party councillor continued: "I've been banging on about this for four years. 

"Friends, family, colleagues, have heard me talking about nothing else.

"When I saw work starting, the weight off me personally is clear."

Roadworks on Knowle Hill (image by Nub News)

Cllr Drew was also quick to thank officers and fellow councillors for their support and collaboration.

Kenilworth Town Council (KTC) has been leading a project on improving road safety all around Kenilworth School, with a major survey on the state of the surrounding area completed last year.

Speaking at KTC's full meeting this week, leader Cllr Mark Stevens said: "We can see real evidence of one of the key problems being resolved right now.

"Which is that the Knowle Hill path and retaining wall is actually being built. 

"That is really pleasing to see."

The section of footpath is due to be finished next week, with Cllr Drew adding: "To see work going on and progress - I didn't need any Christmas presents this year.

"This is the best Christmas present.

"It's just so good to see it actually in progress."