DRIVERS around the Malvern Hills should be getting a smoother ride after the completion of a major programme of work on the district's roads.

Worcestershire County Council pledged to invest more in roads after the announcement last November that it was to get £15 million over two years from the government.

The funds were a welcome boost after the condition of the county's roads were described as being at an all-time low and far worse than the national average.

Malvern Hills Highways Partnership has now drawn up a programme of work on both rural and urban roads. A series of road closure orders and temporary speed limits has been sought ready for work to begin next month.

Temporary closures affect parts of The Avenue, Malvern; Clevelode Lane, Guarlford; Priory Road, Malvern; Cockshot Road, Malvern; West Malvern Road, West Malvern; Hornyold Road, Malvern; St Peter's Road, Malvern; Somers Road, Malvern; and Osbourne Road, Malvern. Temporary 10mph speed limits affect the B4211 Guarlford Road from the Wood Street junction to east of Clevelode Lane and part of the B4424 Upton Road, Guarlford.

There is also a significant programme for rural roads, which will result in the need for drivers to slow down until the chip surface beds down.

The news has been welcomed by Coun Tom Wells, county council spokesman for the environment, which includes roads maintenance.

"Across the county, beginning this week, there will be a 25 per cent increase in road maintenance expenditure," he said. "In real terms that's £4 million extra.

"This new money will begin to address the backlog of repairs across all types of roads."