Road crossing safety fears on A449 from new housing in Cookley

Residents said the current footpath was too narrow and crossing the road was not safe

Residents have demanded safety improvements to a Worcestershire road as hundreds of new homes are built.

Bovis Homes is building 600 properties at the former Lea Castle hospital site in Cookley.

But villagers fear accidents will happen as people navigate the A449 to reach the school and shops.

Worcestershire County Council and the developer said a plan was in place to make the road safer, but the 50mph limit will not be reduced.

Residents told BBC Hereford & Worcester the current footpath was too narrow, and crossing the road was not safe as they felt they had to "run a gauntlet" trying to reach the other side.

David Jones, parish councillor, said he shared the safety concerns

David Jones, parish councillor for Cookley and Wolverley, said the issue with A449 had been "long standing" and he feared for children who will have to cross the road to get to school.

County councillor Ian Hardiman, chair of the planning and regulatory committee, said he agreed changes needed to be made and had been in touch with the planning department at Wyre Forest and the council's highways department.

Usually conditions were placed on developers relating to infrastructure, but there had been no specification by the planning department to incorporate a pelican crossing, he said.

However, he was informed on Tuesday that that there will be a refuge, or reservation, in the middle of the road which was "a little bit of progress".

Given another application for 800 homes had been submitted, he said he hoped that a crossing would now definitely be added.

In a statement, Bovis Homes said that as well as the central pedestrian refuge, there would be a new section of footpath connecting The Crescent and Cookley with a new turning lane, red road safety markings and new signage.

"We had expected to start work on the improvements in 2023, but they have been postponed due to ongoing emergency gas works which are expected to conclude in May 2024."