A WELL-USED footpath in Westbury has been resurfaced after residents campaigned to have it improved.

Tony Hudson, 79, of Arundell Close, became fed up at the state of the footpath which runs between Gibbs Close and Windsor Drive and asked Conservative campaigner Rupert Lescott if he could help.

Mr Lescott said: “Last summer I delivered over 2,000 leaflets across Westbury East introducing myself as a Conservative campaigner for the area and asking residents if they had any issues where I might be able to help.

“One resident, Tony Hudson, called me and described the state of the footpath along Gibbs Close. It had been an un-surfaced path which got very muddy after rainfall.

“We met up at the location and he talked through the history of the site with me. Whilst there, we chatted to passers-by who also gave their views on the state of the path and supported the need for further improvements.

“I discussed this issue with Cllr Jerry Wickham, chairman of the Westbury Area Board, and he recommended I raise a request for work this through the ‘My Wiltshire’ portal.

“I did so and, after some toing and froing, funds were found and released for a proper tarmac surface to be laid. This work was completed last week and it is a great improvement.”

The footpath was temporarily covered with stones by Wiltshire Council to prevent it from becoming too muddy, but this made it difficult for people with buggies and in mobility scooters to navigate.

Mr Hudson said: "I'm really chuffed that we managed to get this project completed.

"It took quite a lot of phone calls to Wiltshire Council and to be honest I became a bit of a nuisance to them, but sometimes you have to do that if you want to get results.

"I was absolutely delighted to see the new surface in place for the first time. A lot of people have been campaigning on this for many years and they all said it was unlikely that we would get the result we wanted, but we managed it much sooner than I expected.

"I must say a huge thank you to Rupert Lescott and Andrew Thomas, Westbury Town Council's caretaker, for their support."