IMPROVEMENTS are to be made to one of the busiest roads in greater Bristol, South Gloucestershire Council has announced.

Funding has been secured to ‘substantially’ improve two cycle and pedestrian crossings on the A4174 at Hambrook and Junction 1 of the M32.

The work is being funded from the Government’s Cycle Ambition Fund following a successful funding bid by the council last year and aims to improve cycle safety and encourage people to cycle and travel more sustainably.

At Hambrook, £1.3million will be spent on improving pedestrian and cycle crossing facilities at the A4174 Hambrook Junction. Construction will take place between April and September and will also include major resurfacing of Bristol Road on the Frenchay side of the Avon Ring Road Ring Road.

A further £400,000 will be spent installing a pedestrian and cycle crossing facility across the southbound entry slip of the M32 at Junction 1. Construction will begin in September.

The authority said the work would increase safety and help promote sustainable travel in the North Fringe area.

Money has also been made available to replace a road bridge on Church Road, Frampton Cotterell as part of planned maintenance works.

The £250,000 project will take place between March and October 2014 and diversions will be in place during this time.

Cllr Dave Hockey (Lib Dem, Frampton Cotterell) welcomed the investment.

He said: “The bridge has to be replaced because it is unsafe, hence the current temporary 13 tonne weight limit.

“Highways Officers have now confirmed Church Road will be closed twice, once for up to three weeks from April 5 and then for up to six weeks from July 22.”

The schemes are part of an £8million investment package in eight major road and cycle route improvement projects across the North Fringe area. Other work will take place in Filton, Patchway and Aztec West.

A council spokesman said: “Government support for the schemes requires that the works be completed by March 2015 and for this reason some projects will run simultaneously during the works period.

“However, the schemes have been scheduled to minimise travel disruption where possible and road users are being encouraged to plan ahead to avoid delays, including considering alternative routes or other modes of transport where possible.”

More information on the schemes is available at www.southglos.gov.uk/nfringeworks and updates will also be posted on the council’s Twitter account @sgloscouncil