MOTORISTS are responding well to new traffic calming measures in Cookhill, according to the village's parish council chairman.

John Fletcher has spoken in favour of the new road markings and signs, which are in operation along The Ridgeway, outside the Neville Arms pub. Worcestershire County Council's highways department installed the measures last month after Cookhill Parish Council raised concerns about speeding through the village. Their fears were backed up by the results of a traffic survey, which revealed that 65 per cent of motorists driving along The Ridgeway broke the speed limit.

Mr Fletcher said: "The new traffic calming measures seem to be working quite well so far. Motorists seem to be driving with a bit more consideration as they enter the village."

He said the parish council hopes the highways department will carry out another traffic survey later in the year to reassess the situation.

Tony Cooper, highways partnership manager in Wychavon, which covers Cookhill, added: "We have put new road markings through the junction by the Neville Arms pub. There are also new signs warning of the junction ahead. The aim of the measures is to constrain vehicle's speed towards the junction because there have been a few accidents around there. We are just trying to slow traffic down as they go through the junction."

He said they have worked very closely with the parish council on the matter.