HIGHWAYS chiefs have dismissed a bid for a public meeting following an outcry against proposals for traffic calming on a Bewdley estate.

Residents and councillors of the Queensway estate in Wribbenhall support the scheme, designed to stop "rat-run" motorists speeding past Wribbenhall First School.

But people living in nearby Kidderminster Road fear they will experience a dramatic rise in traffic if it goes ahead.

Speed cushions, humps and raised tables will be installed in Shaw Hedge Road, Springhill Rise, Wassell Drive, Cordle Marsh Road Queensway, Crundalls Lane, Trimpley Lane, Kidderminster Road and Habberley Road.

There are also plans to build a mini-roundabout at the entrance to the Ramada Hotel under the scheme, which was drawn up by Worcestershire County Council and will cost more than £100,000.

Kidderminster Road residents claim drivers only use the estate to avoid the "no right turn" junction at Catchem's End, which sends town centre-bound traffic past their houses to the bypass island and back, adding about a quarter of a mile to journeys.

They fear deterring people from cutting through Queensway will exacerbate this problem.

"It is the junction which is causing the problem and which drivers are avoiding, so it is the junction which should be looked at," said resident Mike Rookes, 51.

"We would eventually like to see the bypass extended behind us onto Habberley Road, but the interim solution would be to put a mini-roundabout, or possibly traffic lights, at Catchem's End."

He and 14 neighbours raised concerns at a meeting of Bewdley Town Council, and members have written to Wyre Forest Highways Partnership - which was consulted on the scheme - inviting officers to a public meeting on the issue.

However, partnership manager Stuart Reynolds said people had had their say on Catchem's End at a public meeting two-and-a-half years ago, and there had been a preference for the current arrangement.

He dismissed fears the traffic calming would increase the number of cars on Kidderminster Road, predicting it could even reduce as people find alternative routes.

"Bewdley Town Council may well hold a public meeting but it will not be attended by the Highways Partnership," he added.

It is the second Bewdley traffic calming initiative to trigger protests this year. The first, for Cleobury Road, was scrapped. Smaller alternative schemes are being considered.

The proposals for Queensway were drawn up after speeding fears were raised by Wribbenhall First School.