RESIDENTS are celebrating after council bosses began work to improve paving in Winsford.

The Grange Residents Association (GRA) has been fighting for improved access for 15 months, following a number of complaints from residents.

It teamed up with Cheshire County Council to look at the problem in September 2005 and agreed action was needed. The £3,500 project will see kerbs on the Grange Estate lowered to make life easier for wheelchair users, and work began last week.

GRA chairman Mike Kennedy said residents are delighted. He said: 'Last year we were approached by several residents on the estate who were having difficulty using their mobility buggies to get to the shops, post office or even to visit relatives because the kerbs were too high.

'They had to go into the road or take a longer and more dangerous detour to access the next drop kerbs.'

Improvements are ongoing at specific points on Nixon Drive, Saxon Crossway, Pulford Road and Burland Grove. Further work is being carried out on Dene Drive and High Street.

One to benefit will be 87-year-old Harry Booth, who lives at Grange Court and uses a motorised buggy to get about. He said: 'I'm very pleased they're doing something about it. It'll make my life a lot easier.'

Mr Kennedy added: 'I must admit we would have liked the work completed sooner but we acknowledge the demands made on county budgets and sometimes a wait is inevitable.

'Although this work cost relatively little, the benefits are immense when looking at the problems faced every day by those with a disability and we are grateful to the county council.'