RESIDENTS on a Bromsgrove housing estate are breathing a huge sigh of relief after a massive investment to help prevent accidents was announced.

Highways Partnership manager Nick Twaite says there will be various accident reduction measures at the busy Slideslow island, at the bottom of Stratford Road, after a campaign by residents on The Oakalls estate.

The roundabout has been the site of a number of crashes, including a fatal accident last year. But now Worcestershire County Council has earmarked £100,000 to prevent accidents occurring.

Engineers, highway officers and County Councillor June Longmuir (Con-Bromsgrove South) met up with residents to discuss what could be done.

Residents wanted traffic lights to be installed but instead new signs, yellow lines and a lowering of the speed limit will be put in place.

The measures will include unifying the speed limit to 40mph along all approaching roads and improving the signing so people do not go on to the estate by mistake.

Mr Twaite said: "Traffic lights wouldn't reduce accidents. The issue is people going into the back of other cars."

Pedestrians will have uncontrolled new crossings, which will be up to the latest standards.

On the estate itself an enforceable 30mph zone will replace the current 20mph zone, which is not enforceable.

The police will then be able to prosecute anyone who goes faster than 30mph.

One Oakalls resident, who did not wish to be named, said: "The roundabout slows cars down but it also means there is an almost constant stream of traffic to negotiate. When you have two small children it makes life very difficult."

He added: "Signs won't really help pedestrians. The traffic problems are only inconvenient but the pedestrian problem is putting people's lives at risk."

kate.hughes@midlands.

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