MOTORISTS in Bromsgrove look set for a safer New Year on the roads thanks to the planned completion of several major town schemes.

Worcestershire Highways Partnership in Bromsgrove has an important year ahead which will see the conclusion of a number of major schemes, some of which have been in the pipeline for years.

Traffic experts have vowed 2002 is the year when positive action is taken on the notorious A491 dual carriageway between the Fairfield and Hagley islands.

Following a public inquiry last year, the inspector recommended traffic lights at the Belbroughton junction but since then no action has been taken, while traffic bosses at Worcestershire County Council research the feasibility of the plan.

Speaking exclusively to the Advertiser/Messenger, partnership manager Jon Fraser said: "We expect to have a detailed design for the traffic lights shortly and we will be discussing it with district and parish councillors with a view to making a start as soon as possible."

Another project expected to be completed this year is the implementation of safety measures at the Perryfields crossroad on Kidderminster Road.

Mr Fraser said: "The junction has had a bad accident record and will now receive long-overdue attention.

"We are looking at a traffic light scheme and are now considering the details."

He said nearby residents would be consulted.

And Worcestershire County Council has secured an extra £1m for next year's maintenance budget.

It has also set to adopt a new Code of Practice for highways maintenance.

This is expecteed to mean more road checks expected on a more frequent basis.