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Bramshaw Millennium Path
Villagers in the New Forest are celebrating the start of an attempt to provide pedestrians with a safer route around part of their parish.
Bramshaw Parish Council has set out to reduce the danger to people walking along the B3079 - the scene of several serious accidents in recent years.
The council has begun to build the Millennium Path, which aims to link up with existing footpaths near the post office and golf course.
Councillors hope the long-awaited project will eventually provide walkers with a circular route.
The first phase of the path prevents people having to walk in the road when they go from Bramshaw to the neighbouring village of Brook.
An opening ceremony was performed by Jack Sturgess, who was chairman of the parish council when the scheme was drawn up.
He paid tribute to the contribution made by Peter Reynolds, who has since stepped down from the council.
Mr Sturgess said: "Back in 1997-98, when we were looking around for a suitable millennium project, Peter suggested the creation of a path that would prevent walkers having to cross a single road".
The first phase of the path cost £17,000, which was funded by the landfill tax.
Mr Sturgess said the next stage of the path would run from the Green Dragon pub along Tinkers Lane to Warrens Lane, with work starting on October 21.
He confirmed that plans to provide a gravel track from Rosary Garage to Burnford House were opposed by English Nature.
"The path would run through a site of special scientific interest, but the ground belongs to the Forestry Commission, which is not bound to follow English Nature's advice", said Mr Sturgess.
"If the B3079 became more dangerous, the commission could ignore English Nature and give permission".