OVERGROWN hedges in Warndon are putting cyclists and drivers at risk, say residents.

Greenery is overgrown on certain cycle paths and hedges on Mill Wood Drive have grown so thick that people driving into the road from Wood Leason Avenue are having difficulty seeing traffic coming down the hill.

One Warndon resident claimed the overhanging hedges in Mill Wood Drive had not been cut this year.

Dawn Merriman brought the complaint to light at a Warndon Parish Council meeting on Monday.

"They are now causing a hazard along the road," said Mrs Merriman.

Councillor Martin Clark said he had taken the matter up with Worcester City Council, but was not happy with the response.

Frank Lauriello, parish council member, said the hedges made the area look shabby and could encourage vandalism.

"If it's well maintained then people will treat the area with some respect," he said.

Speaking after the meeting, Coun Clark said he had taken the hedge matter to a "higher level".

"I'm determined that the matter will be dealt with," he said.

"The hedges are a small facet of the total problem."

Parked cars are causing danger

A WORRIED man fears someone could be killed because drivers are forced to swing round parked cars.

Mr Hayes, who refused to give his first name to the Evening News, said parked cars were causing a problem at the junction of Hoskyns Avenue and Woodgreen Drive (pictured).

Drivers had to swing out to avoid the parked cars and were in danger of hitting oncoming traffic, it emerged.

"Last winter we had problems getting out of Hoskyns Avenue because of the ice," he said.

"If it's bad weather, you'll slide all over the place.

"They are parking within 15ft of the junction - somebody will get killed."

Mr Hayes said he was also concerned about parking in Dugdale Drive, Nightingale Avenue and Bentham Avenue.

Councillor Martin Clark said there might be a case for double yellow lines around Hoskyns Avenue.

Buses hit by vandals

VANDALISM has forced the Boomerang Bus Company to cut some of its services as the firm struggles to find drivers.

The number 36 and 38 bus service, which runs from Worcester, Tolladine, Warndon and Perdiswell from 6pm until midnight is now running sporadically.

But Nick Warner, director of Boomerang, said the vandalism problem had been on-going for ten years.

Warndon resident Mr Hayes, who refused to give his first name to the Evening News, aired the problem with parish councillors.

"Boomerang has not run its services for the last week because of vandalism," he said.

But after the meeting, Mr Warner insisted the bus services were still operating - although sporadically.

"We have nights where we have not been able to operate services because of staff shortages," said Mr Warner.

"Vandalism has an effect because there are quite a number of staff who refuse to operate on the routes.

"The current situation is not about a specific vandalism incident - vandalism has been taking place for 10 years.

"Eggs have been thrown at windows, assaults on drivers have taken place, and abuse.

"A brick was put through a bus window in Warndon five or six weeks ago."

A year ago, the Evening News reported how First Bus service drivers were terrified of being attacked.

First Bus announced that 20 drivers had been assaulted in the previous six months, and there had been more than 45 cases of vandalism.

Boomerang buses hit the headlines in the Evening News in July last year when an air rifle pellet was fired at a bus travelling through Dines Green.

Mr Warner said it took six months to train a driver, and he currently had vacancies.

"If anyone wants a job they can contact me on 01684 292008," he said.

Users set up forum for talks

MEMBERS of Lyppard Grange Community Centre, in Warndon Villages, will soon be able to have their say when a user forum is up and running.

The forum, which was disbanded three years ago, will give people the chance to discuss any improvements they think can be made at the community centre.

"We are now developing a user forum again," said Frank Lauriello, a member of Warndon Parish Council.

Mr Lauriello said people at the centre would be able to get together two or three times a year.

After the meeting, Mr Lauriello said the forum would give members the chance to express concerns, such as storage space.

"It's making sure they are comfortable with their surroundings," he said.

"But if members have a more serious problem, such as with members of staff, then they would go to the chairman of the Lyppard Grange management board to solve issues."

Litter bin

A LITTER bin should soon be in place in Anchorage Green, The Lyppards, Warndon Parish Council was told.