neighbours in Cradley have taken road safety into their own hands to make a dangerous junction safer.

Farmer Dennis Johnson donated land and The Re.v John Mosey gave money to Herefordshire Council to widen the junction at Tan House Lane and the A4103, the scene of several accidents.

Both feared lives would be lost if something was not done to improve visibility.

Although he plans to move to Cumbria, Mr Mosey was determined to give the council money towards the improvements.

"We knew we were giving in the interests of the community," he said.

A letter from Herefordshire Council about the improvements was read out at a meeting of Cradley Parish Council on Tuesday. Tom Davies, of the highways department, said the work could not be done in the current improvements programme but, thanks to Mr Johnson and Mr Mosey, it could start when further funding became available.

Road safety near Cradley school was also raised. Parish councillors are concerned cars can travel at up to 60mph past the school.

Roger Gill said he feared Herefordshire Council would not take action until a child was killed.

Senior traffic engineer Andrew Jenkins said Herefordshire Council had a commitment to 20mph speed limits around most of the county's schools.

He said it would assess the situation at Cradley against strict criteria for speed limits and traffic order protocol and go through legal processes, which could take nine or ten months if there were no objections.

"In the meantime the council will consider interim measures such as school warning signs," he said.

The parish council also gave the go-ahead for slippery play surfaces at Chapel Lane playing field to be cleaned.

The council will write to Cradley Primary School asking for barbed wire to be removed from a fence in Buryfields playing field.

A notice will be devised asking parishioners to support local businesses, particularly the post office and butcher's.