Newent looks set to benefit from a major road safety scheme by this summer.

It follows a review of problem highways and junctions, which has been funded by Gloucestershire County Council and Herefordshire Council.

New crossing points, signs and speed limits could all be in operation within six months.

Richard Waters, Gloucestershire County Council's area traffic manager, said: "Hopefully, Newent will be a safer place."

Key areas for improvements have been identified through a consultation process under the Newent Transport Strategy, which was launched last April to take on board the views of the town council and local householders.

Mr Waters said 600 questionnaires had been sent out to Newent residents.

In addition, a comprehensive safety report on the length of the B4215 and the B4221 from Highnam to Herefordshire is due out by the end of February.

Signalling is to be introduced by the end of the summer at the main crossroads in Newent, the staggered junction of the B4215 and B4211 on the bypass.

All the gateways into Newent are to get "please drive carefully signs" on both sides of the road.

Approach roads to benefit, within two months, will include Culver Street, Watery Lane, Bridge Street and Gloucester Street. Existing gateway signs on the Ross Road will also be enhanced.

There will be a zebra crossing installed in Watery Lane, near to the police station.

"It is a popular pedestrian route for people walking to and from school," said Mr Waters, who added that he hoped the proposed puffin crossing on the Ross Road, outside Picklenash Junior School, could also be in place by the summer.

There are also plans to reduce the speed limit in Horsefair Lane from 60mph to 30mph, because of the proximity of private homes and businesses, and to extend the 30mph speed limit in Gloucester Street to take in the Town Farm industrial estate and petrol station turnings.

Gloucestershire County Council is also to look into revising and extending the double yellow lines in Newent High Street.