Traffic calming measures including a 20mph limit and speed humps are to be installed in parts of Backwell.

North Somerset Council is proposing to install road humps along parts of Church Lane and Church Town and to introduce a 20mph limit on Backwell Hill, Church Lane, Church Town, Court Close and Dark Lane.

Highways chiefs are currently consulting on the scheme, which is costing about £30,000, and if it gets the green light, work could start this autumn.

Backwell Hill and the area of Church Town are regularly used as a short cut by drivers wanting to avoid the traffic lights at Backwell crossroads on the A370.

Drivers often turn off the A370 up Church Lane and go through Church Town before joining the busy commuter route at West Town Road.

The windy and narrow lanes, which are in a conservation area, are also used by many drivers as a route to Bristol International Airport.

The news that new traffic calming measures are to be installed has been welcomed by local residents who have been campaigning for several years for road safety improvements.

Resident David Ratcliffe, 73, of Church Lane, said: "The road is very busy and over the last five years we have lost two cats as a result of speeding drivers.

"The road can be quite lethal at times and this is caused by people using the lanes to bypass the main road. I am hoping these new measures will go some way to slowing the traffic down and help solve the problems."

Backwell Councillor Tom Collinson said he was pleased that North Somerset was taking action following concerns from residents.

Councillor Collinson said: "The district councillors and Backwell Parish Council, along with local residents, have made presentations to North Somerset about the need for traffic calming measures in this area.

"I hope that by introducing these measures it will help to put a stop to this. I am delighted that North Somerset Council has listened to the concerns of the local community and is now moving ahead with a safety scheme.

North Somerset Council spokesman Nick Yates said: "We currently have a period of consultation taking place on the proposals so people can let their thoughts on the scheme be known.

"The provisional start date for the work is this autumn."