When Dee Cox's 10-year-old son Charlie was nearly run over crossing the road to his school in Nailsea, she feared the next child would not be so lucky.

So she pleaded to highways chiefs to get a crossing on the road, which drivers use as a rat-run from Backwell.

And, to her delight, they agreed to install 'slow' signs and a traffic-light crossing.

Mrs Cox, 33, of Elm Lodge Road, Wraxall, sent a petition of more than 40 names to North Somerset Council complaining about cars driving too quickly along Trendlewood Way, a route to Golden Valley Primary School.

Highways chiefs announced an £8,000 safety package for pedestrians and cyclists.

In the short term they plan to improve the pedestrian guardrails and install an anti-slip surface on Golden Valley path, new and enhanced pedestrian warning signs, 'slow' road markings and electronic 30mph warning signs.

The work will be done in the next two to three months and the council also plans to liaise with Nailsea Local Action Team to set up a community speed-watch.

Highways chiefs eventually hope to install a light-controlled crossing in Trendlewood Way.

The council hopes the sustainable transport charity, Sustrans, will help fund the work as part of its Connect2 project to create a cycleway from Bristol to Nailsea.

Mrs Cox said it was essential for the council to improve safety on a route used by so many children.

"I am delighted that the council seem to have listened to the parents' concerns.

"Trendlewood Way is a dangerous road and I will not let my son cross it on his own because of the cars racing around the blind bend.

"Anything which makes this area safer for schoolchildren and other pedestrians must be welcomed and I very much hope that we will see a crossing in place this year."

The safety measures follow an assessment which looked at the number of accidents in which people were injured and the numbers of pedestrians crossing the road.

The survey also considered the number and type of vehicles using the road and Golden Valley and St Francis schools' travel plans.

North Somerset Council's deputy leader and executive member for highways, Elfan Ap Rees, said: "The results of this site assessment showed that drivers are exceeding the 30mph speed limit and the pedestrian guardrails, signs and lines need improving.

"There is a proposal in next year's joint local transport plan bid to improve access and upgrade Golden Valley path to encourage pedestrians and cyclists to use it."

Mr Ap Rees said this would include a traffic-light crossing – and that it could be installed by the end of the year if the Sustrans funding came through.

Governors and teachers at Golden Valley school have previously asked for a proper pedestrian crossing to be installed.

"I am absolutely delighted that funding has been allocated for these safety improvements," said head teacher Kevin Lynch.

"Many of our families use this route and have been highlighting the dangers for some time now.

"The safety measures will benefit not only Golden Valley families but also many Nailsea School students who walk to school along this route."