THE future of local transport in Worcestershire is being finalised by the county council.

The provisional local transport plan for the next five years highlights the council's four priorities for transport including accessibility, tackling congestion, road safety and improving air quality

The plan, which residents are being invited to have their say on, focuses on the county's six district council areas of Worcester city, Wychavon, Wyre Forest, Malvern Hills, Bromsgrove and Redditch.

The priorities include improving capacity on the A4440 Worcester Southern Link and accommodating proposed residential and employment sites.

"This local transport plan identifies the transport problems that are restricting the ability to travel for both local residents and people passing through Worcestershire. It outlines a strategy that will start to tackle these problems," John Smith, cabinet member with responsibility for the environment, said.

"The strategy has been developed in close collaboration with the Worcester- shire Partnership and with the local strategic partner-ships across the county.

"We look forward to continuing to work in partnership with the public, private, community and voluntary sectors to deliver a transport system that meets the needs of Worcestershire's residents, businesses and communities."

The provisional plan, dates for workshops and a questionnaire can be viewed by logging on to www.worcestershire.gov.uk/ltp which gives more detail.

To book a place at the Worcester workshop, or for further details, ring 01905 766299 or alternatively, e-mail ltp@worcestershire .gov.uk to reserve a place.

HOW THEY PLAN TO IMPROVE TRANSPORT IN YOUR AREA...

MALVERN

Three Counties Showground - traffic management measures which could allow the showground to develop with minimal impact on the local communities.

This would include looking at improved transport connections to the site and initiatives such as joint ticketing with public transport operators.

Junction improvements - pedestrian and cycle facilities, and bus service enhancements to cater for the extra demand generated by the further development of Malvern Science and Technology Park and DERA North site in Malvern Link.

To enhance Malvern town centre - with appropriate traffic management measures.

Malvern Railway Stations - improving parking facilities, particularly at Malvern Link, and bus stop facilities at both Malvern Link and Great Malvern.

PERSHORE

High Street - improvements to address safety, environmental and traffic management issues.

Keytec Industrial Estate Link Road - to review the operation of Pinvin crossroads to identify ways to reduce congestion and work towards the construction of the Keytec Link Road if developer funding becomes available.

Evesham

High Street improvement - greater disabled parking, secure motorcycle parking, cycle lane along High Street and Vine Street, bus stop improvements, provision for public art, review of street furniture to minimise clutter, change in road layout to provide a much smoother traffic flow.

DROITWICH

To work with the district council and Droitwich Town Council to identify transport improvements that would benefit the town centre and put these in place through the Market Towns Transport initiative.

WORCESTER

Worcester Parkway - to build a new railway station at Norton providing direct access to national rail services, improved park-and-ride facilities for trips to Birmingham and London, and improved public transport interchange between bus and rail services.

Park-and-ride - two further sites to cover the eastern and western approaches to the city.

A4440 Worcester Southern Link Road - improvements to reduce congestion including signals at Powick roundabout, re-modelling of Ketch roundabout and enlargement and signals at Whittington roundabout.

City centre - for pedestrians to have priority over traffic from the new UCW site at Castle Street across to the Cathedral and the River Severn beyond.