A group of villagers is hoping to raise £9,000 to get a pavement alongside a busy road.

The villagers, from Wakes Colne and Chappel, want a footpath along Bures Road, which they claim is currently unsafe to walk along.

The lane has no verge with steep sides and cannot accommodate two lorries, tractors or buses passing it as it has no safety laybys.

Currently numerous villagers walk the lane including train commuters, school children, mothers pushing prams and elderly residents.

The volunteer group is headed by the chairman of the village hall, Jim Taylor along with Wakes Colne and Chappel parish councillor Stephen Scrase.

Mr Taylor said: “I was particularly grieved when, after four years, the parish council reluctantly abandoned its attempt to provide the footpath and had to withdraw from the purchase of the land from East Anglian Railway Museum.

“I decided I must do something about it before anyone was injured or even killed so I decided to carry on where the parish council left off.

“The organisation is already having some early financial interest and Peter Chillingworth, our ward councillor, is giving advice and support for which we are most thankfull.”

The land skirts the western boundary of the museum carpark, will be two metres wide and about three hundred meters long and is planned to be fenced on the carpark side.

Parish councillor Stephen Scrase added: “I believe with the renewed enthusiasm we will achieve our goal and provide a safe footpath off the narrow and non-speed restricted dangerous lane where over the years a number of accidents have occurred.”

About £9,000 is needed to complete the project and it is hoping to get donations from local businesses, councils, churches, trusts and charities, as well as its own fundraising events.

Anyone who can contribute towards the scheme is asked to email sfscrase@hotmail.com or write to The Shambles, Lower Green, Wakes Colne, Essex.