PLANS to stop motorists from travelling down a one-way road in Worcester in the wrong direction have moved on to the next phase.

City councillor Bob Peachey has managed to convince council officers to consult with the public over the removal of the cycle lane in Britannia Square, in the Barbourne area of the city.

At present there is a problem with drivers and motorcyclists ignoring signs and illegally travelling along the cycle lane in Britannia Square and turning in to Hebb Street, thereby risking a collision with oncoming motorists using the system correctly.

Coun Peachey's proposal is to extend the pavement area into a curve on the north east corner of Britannia Square.

This means that when drivers turn in from Hebb Street they would be entering Britannia Square on the right hand side.

Once they navigate the curve they will continue along Britannia Square back in the left hand lane.

Residents in the area have long complained that motorists use the cycle lane as a short cut, especially during rush hour when traffic on the Upper Tything is heavy.

Coun Peachey discussed the issue with Stephen Inman, leader of the city council, and Tom Comerford, the city council's senior engineer for traffic management, at a meeting last week.

"I am not entirely happy because there is a sense of urgency about this," said Coun Peachey. "But of course we have to wait for the proper consultation procedure, which is about 20 weeks.

"At the meeting there seemed to be a willingness to make some changes but it did take some pressure to have the cycle lane taken out."

More than 40 people who live near the junction have written to Coun Peachey supporting the plan.

"I will now be writing to all those people explaining the process," he added.