ANGRY councillors say Lowesmoor is being ruined by ignorant drivers flouting traffic restrictions, and have demanded a crackdown.

One has even accused the authorities of "abdicating their responsibilities", saying too many motorists are making a mockery of the Conservation Area.

Just over two years ago regulations came into force stopping drivers from using Lowesmoor as a cut-through, including no eastbound access from 3.30pm-6.30pm.

But Worcester City Council's planning committee says the ruling is being ignored, and that the route is regularly clogged up by delivery vans and other passing drivers sitting on double yellow lines.

Tory Councillor Alan Amos, speaking during a committee meeting, said: "This area is being killed by congestion and parking.

"It's always clogged up by vans and lorries constantly parked up on double yellow lines - what are we going to do about it?"

Labour Councillor Roger Berry said: "I'm afraid there is no traffic management, the situation is ridiculous.

"I never go down there past 3.30pm because I know you are not supposed to, but I see others do it all the time.

"We've got to do something about it and we've got to get the county council to take its responsibilities seriously."

Others said they felt the city council should be shouldering some blame, particularly around the yellow line sitting, which traffic wardens should tackle.

Councillor Paul Denham said: "I'm the county councillor for Lowesmoor and have raised this on a number of occasions at the county (council).

"What I've been told is that it's a city council issue, and that there are 'capacity issues'."

Planning committee chairman Councillor Chris Mitchell said: "Someone is passing the buck, aren't they."

Stephen Hawley, from Worcestershire County Council's highways team, has advised them to feed their concern to County Hall under the current consultation over transport, known as the 'Local Transport Plan 4'.

The document will last until 2030 once it goes live this April and includes ideas like re-opening small train stations at sites like Fernhill Heath, as we reported last month.

"That plan is aimed at improving traffic flow and dealing with issues like Lowesmoor," said Mr Hawley.

The restrictions apply from the top end of Lowesmoor. meaning drivers can still drive up part of it towards the city centre, passing the shops, but must turn left at the junction with Silver Street rather than carry on.

The restrictions heading eastbound apply at the junction of Sansome Street, which is also controlled by signals.

Any motorists apart from buses and emergency vehicles trying to jump the lights are effectively trapped in Lowesmoor, and face an extended wait at the signals at the other end before being able to escape.

The trappings have been programmed to get progressively longer over time, discouraging people from ignoring it.

Pollution levels in Lowesmoor, which were once at illegal levels, have fallen since the restrictions kicked in.

The city council's debate came amid a discussion about changes to the Lowesmoor Conservation Area boundary.