A PUBLIC meeting is taking place to discuss ongoing work and safety concerns on the A4440 at St Peter's, in Worcester.

Parish councillors in St Peter's are calling for crash barriers to be installed along the side of the busy road, as part of ongoing improvement works between the Whittington Island and Norton Roundabout.

Members of the public are now being invited to attend a special meeting on Monday night (June 27) at 7pm in St Peter's Village Hall.

St Peter's Councillors will be discussing the scheme and the latest progress with representatives from the highways department at Worcestershire County Council.

A huge project is currently ongoing to dual the road all the way from Whittington island to the Ketch roundabout.

But, so far, barriers have not been planned into the work, leaving parish councillors concerned that someone could be injured or even killed on the footpath at the side of the road.

St Peter's Parish Council says it is particularly concerned given how close the road is to homes and schools.

Cllr Ross Walker has told the Worcester News: "We feel that the cost of implementing a crash barrier would be insignificant when measured against the cost of the project and its potential to save a life.

"With two schools nearby and it being a busy stretch of road we need assurances from the county council that there will be a crash barrier."

Discussions at Monday's meeting will include information on the current phase, what has been completed and what happens next.

Jon Fraser, head of highways at Worcestershire County Council, said: "We have sent a letter to St Peter's Parish Council outlining our position.

"We have not fully completed the previous stages of the project and so no decision will be made until we have, it will also be subject to an independent safety audit.

"We are meeting with the council to discuss the next stage of the project. "

Members of the public are welcome to attend the meeting.