STATE-of-the-art surveillance equipment is to be installed at the eastern end of Wyre Piddle to police a ban on cars when an order comes into force in the autumn.

Worcestershire County Council has voted to close the main road through the village at the Evesham end on the recommendation of an independent inspector.

Head of the county's highways and transport management team, Paul Jameson, said he was now planning to begin the project as soon as possible.

Traffic lights will be installed near the railway bridge with sensitive detector equipment to allow through only permitted vehicles.

Fines

"We are installing the cameras because the access needs to be policed at all times to ensure that no one passes through illegally," he said.

"If they do, drivers may find themselves with fixed penalty fines and points on their licences."

Parish councillor, Philippa Swanborough who lives near the railway bridge, said people were being penalised for living there.

"I will have to drive miles all the way around the bypass for a newspaper when the ban comes in," she said.

"Very many villagers campaigned for access only to the village from the eastern end.

"All we wanted was signs up to say that, and calming measures, which would have cost far less money."

Betty Foster, of Wyre Hill, said villagers still felt angry about the closure and that she and Mrs Swanborough would be campaigning very strongly for a western link to the bypass to relieve the expected heavy traffic jams at the Pinvin crossroads.