REPAIRS to a cobbled footpath in the centre of Milverton could cost £40,000 plus consultancy fees, parish councillors have been told.

The parish council had been waiting for a quote for the work since last summer after residents raised concerns that the cobbles were being damaged by heavy lorries hitting and/or mounting the pavement to use as extra road width as they drove through the village.

Council chairman Cllr Rod Burton said the estimated cost covered parts of the Fore Street pavement where ownership could not be confirmed.

Cllr Burton said no other authority was likely to agree to pick up the cost, which meant further deterioration was expected.

Councillors agreed to investigate carrying out restorative work but said it was likely to be a complicated and expensive project which would take some time to happen.

The parish council also agreed to a five per cent increase in its precept for the 2026-27 financial year, rising by £3,000 to £60,000.

Although its predicted expenditure was £78,000 for the year, the extra spending would be covered from reserves which were considered higher than needed because money had been set aside for projects where Somerset Council input was still awaited.

Parish clerk Tim Payne said: “The parish council remains committed to being able to support and provide parish amenities in the most efficient way possible.”

Mr Payne said most of the money was spent on the community because the parish council was able to provide grants toward village amenities such as maintenance of the public toilets and looking after ‘green’ areas and footpaths.

Funds has also been set aside to be put toward a new grill on the culvert, as well as the work required in the village Jubilee Gardens to mitigate regular flooding caused by a nearby well.