ACTION is being planned to ease traffic chaos caused by a ban on motorists turning right into Kidderminster Road from Habberley Road at Catchems End in Wribbenhall.

Residents have complained of congestion ever since the restriction was introduced more than three years ago, as traffic is forced to turn left to the bypass roundabout and double back on itself to go into Bewdley.

For householders to the left of the junction it means double the traffic flow passes their homes and traffic queues. It has also led to local motorists using Trimpley Lane as a shortcut through Queensway.

But now money has been made available for county council engineers to carry out a survey and draw up a scheme, which is likely to favour replacing the ban with a raised mini-roundabout.

The move follows a campaign by Worcestershire county councillor Gordon Yarranton who carried out a survey of 2,000 homes in Wribbenhall and Trimpley to find out what householders wanted done at the junction.

Mr Yarranton, who also received a letter from Trimpley Parish Council in support of his efforts to get something done, said: "I have done the survey, I have argued for the money and at last I have got the project prioritised. This is a real breakthrough."

The option of simply removing the right-hand turn restriction is not favoured on road safety grounds as it was originally brought in to reduce the high levels of accidents at the junction.

The county's head of highways and transportation Paul Jameson said the preparatory work would be completed over the next few months.

"Whether the improvements to the junction are carried out in this financial year or the next depends on resources and on how much the work will cost," he added.

Residents will be given full opportunity to comment on plans once they are drawn up.