SPEEDING cars outside a village school have sparked calls for a 20mph limit.

Drivers are racing around Hazel Road and Maple Road at 60mph, according to Worcestershire county councillor Peter McDonald (Lab - Rubery). And he fears motorists are putting the 230 pupils at Beaconside Primary and Nursery School, in Hazel Road, at risk.

"The surrounding roads to Beaconside School have become a rat run with vehicles travelling in excess of 60mph," added the concerned councillor.

"There is a need to implement a 20mph restriction on both Hazel and Maple roads to protect children before there is a terrible accident.

"A 20mph restriction has successfully been implemented on the roads surrounding other Rubery schools and the same protection should be given to Beaconside School."

Bromsgrove's Highways Partnership chief Jon Fraser said: "I am aware of Cllr McDonald's concerns but laws state that traffic calming measures have to be in place before a speed reduction can be considered.

"Because mini roundabouts and speed humps were already in place at Waseley Hills High School and Holywell Primary and Nursery School we were able to enforce the 20mph speed limit.

"The good news is that there are proposals to improve safety outside Beaconside through the Safer Routes to Schools initiative, co-ordinated by Worcestershire County Council.

"We are awaiting final plans before a consultation period can begin," he added.

Beaconside headteacher Reg Moore admitted that he was concerned about children's safety and hoped the proposed traffic calming measures would be tabled in the near future.

"Parked cars and motorists driving much too fast are my main worries.

"A 20mph speed limit is a good idea," he added.