A FOUR-YEAR project by residents around Bidford to map out the future of the area has been completed.

The B50 parish plan, which covers Bidford, Barton, Broom and Marlcliff, has enabled residents to have their say on how they want the villages to develop and will help guide local councils in decisions they make about the area.

The 18-page document, which sets out improvements which can be made over the next four years in areas like transport, traffic, housing and employment, has now been delivered to every household by a dedicated team of volunteers.

The B50 group was set up after a meeting of residents in November 2000, who decided a full parish appraisal was necessary and were guided through the process of sending out questionnaires and collecting results by a steering group of eight people.

The results formed an action plan which was adopted by Bidford Parish Council and endorsed by Stratford District Council and is now the official parish plan.

Some ideas in the plan include a walking bus to ease traffic at Bidford Primary School and a roundabout at the junction of Waterloo Road and High Street with Tower Hill.

The group would also like additional resources for cleaning and maintaining Big Meadow, a stronger police presence, more activities for children and young people and a working group to look at the development of tourist attractions and job opportunities.

Appraisal group chairman Mike Gerrard said: "On the positive side, a number of the recommendations have already been implemented. A reading of the plan will make it clear however that there is still plenty to do and the parish council is to be congratulated for taking on the challenge."

Copies of the plan are available at the parish office and library in Bramley Way, the post offices in Bidford and Broom, the Bidford newsagent and the Malt House Barn in Barton.