TRADERS and villagers are up in arms after hearing of plans to tarmac broken paving slabs on Broadway's High Street to comply with health and safety regulations.

More than 100 locals and 40 traders have signed petitions fearing that the plans could ruin the appearance of the area.

But the Highways Partnership Unit for the Wychavon area has said there has been a misunderstanding in what it is trying to do.

Worcestershire County Councillor Liz Eyre has organised two petitions, one from traders and one from residents.

Cllr Eyre said she was aware of a marginal increase in the number of litigation claims from broken slabs but not many had been upheld.

She said: "This is an act of shear vandalism that I thought officers clearly understood would receive no support. This village contributes hugely to the county's tourism income and provides a significant number of jobs in a rural setting. This village is one of the jewels in Worcestershire's crown. It is one of the significant gateways into Worcestershire. The whole thrust of our tourism policies in this area is to encourage visitors to spend one more night in Worcestershire. It is mindless policies such as this that show lack of partnership and lack of joined up thinking."

Andy Broome, county council maintenance manager for the Highway's Partnership Unit covering the Wychavon area, said the tarmac was temporary, before new permanent slabs were used.

He said: "There's perhaps been a bit of a misunderstanding on behalf of the locals or parish council of what we are trying to do.

"It's not our intention to change the appearance of Broadway. We would have to take a long-term view of two or three years if we were considering wholesale replacement of areas such as 100 metres of path.

"With Broadway being a sensitive tourist area we're not going to take up large areas of slabs and replace it with tarmac without consideration," he said.

Cllr Eyre said Cllr David Folkes, chairman of the parish council will be bringing the petitions to the next Highway Partnership Forum on Wednesday, January 12.