RESIDENTS of Orford Way will have read with interest last November's debate in these pages regarding excess and speeding traffic using Lower Chase Road.

Following the construction of Townsend Way in 1992, Orford Way has been transformed from a little-used residential street into a nightmarish rat-run.

Despite the road's clear 'Access Only' status, statistics collated from traffic surveys conducted over the last three years reveal that on an average weekday 2,400 vehicles use Orford Way, reaching 200 vehicles per hour during peak periods. Almost one in three of these vehicles exceed the 30mph speed limit.

In September 2003 residents submitted a 200-strong petition to Malvern Hills District Council and the police requesting action to address the problem.

After 18 months of correspondence, the county council acknowledged the level of through traffic using Orford Way was unacceptable but it insists it remains the responsibility of the police to enforce the 'Access Only' legislation.

In 1992 the police advised what was then Hereford and Worcester County Council of its opposition to the introduction of 'Access Only' schemes because of their inability to deter illegitimate traffic.

Unfortunately, the council chose to ignore the police advice.

The only long-term solution is the implementation of traffic calming measures and since it was the local authority that created this problem by authorising the original development it is not unreasonable to suggest it has a duty to do more than merely slap up a couple of road signs and then do all but nothing when those signs are ignored.

I would urge residents of Orford Way to write to Worcestershire County Council and the newly-elected Langland ward councillor Penelope Morgan until it agrees to remedy its negligence of 1992.

JULIAN EVANS, Orford Way, Malvern.