FAST cars will be forced to slow down as traffic calming measures are put in place outside three schools.

Lickey End, Sidemoor and Fairfield first schools have all been earmarked by Worcestershire County Council's safer routes to school's initiative.

It is aimed at reducing speed in and around the schools.

Questionnaires were sent to parents of Lickey End First School, in School Lane, to identify problems they encountered on their journeys.

One key problem was the volume and speed of traffic along Alcester Road and School Lane.

As a result, measures including speed cushions, humped zebra and table-top crossings have been put in place.

At Sidemoor First School, in Broad Street, concerns once again included the volume and speed of cars.

Now the carriageway is being narrowed and the path widened outside the school where a humped zebra crossing is being constructed.

Similar measures are planned for Fairfield First School, in Stourbridge Road, amid the same fears.

Action to be taken there includes a mini-roundabout at the Stourbridge Road and Bournheath Road junction, two priority chicanes and slow signs.

Worcestershire Highways partnership in Bromsgrove manager Jon Fraser said: "The finishing touches are just being put in place.

"These schemes will improve safety in the vicinity of the schools particularly for parents and children journeying to them."