A Pinehurst Village Council candidate is proposing a little road work that he says will improve safety and the quality of life for residents who live near N.C. 211.

John Strickland, one of five candidates vying for two seats on the council, has a three-prong plan that he has formulated thanks to input from residents.

Strickland proposes to eliminate access to N.C. 211 from McFarland Road and make the road a cul-de-sac; add sidewalks along Spring Lake Road in Village Acres; and create a small parking area on the Village Acres side of 15-501 near the entrance to No. 6 to allow easier access to the greenway trails.

Strickland said residents who live on McFarland have indicated to him that because of the ongoing work to widen N.C. 211, people are increasingly using the street as a shortcut or cut-through to avoid delays caused by traffic congestion.

The additional sidewalks, Strickland said, would make it safer for residents to walk through Village Acres.

“There are a lot of roads that come off there (Spring Lake), and it is becoming increasingly more busy and less safe,” he said.

The parking lot would give residents in Village Acres who wanted to utilize the greenway trails safer access to the pathways without having to cross 15-501 on foot.

“These are some ideas that I think have some sway,” Strickland said. “And I think it shows the people of Pinehurst that I’m thinking through some of the residential safety issues.”

Contact Tom Embrey at tembrey@thepilot.com.