"SILLY hillocks" posing as traffic calming measures in Lickey End are causing dangers to pedestrians according to a villager who got a bruised arm after being hit by a bus.

Writer John Slim, of Alcester Road, was standing on the footpath outside his home when the incident happened.

Mr Slim claims the driver tried to evade the cushion by aiming for the gap between the speed bump, clipping Mr Slim's forearm as he did.

Mr Slim said: "I'm not opposed to traffic calming measures, just the way these have been installed.

"Because the highways partnership has not had the wit to bring its little bumps closer to the kerb the driver aimed his front nearside wheel at the gap."

"I already knew our new silly hillocks were useless and a total waste of my council tax. I now know they are a danger to pedestrians.

"Footpath users would be safer and better off and drivers more inclined to slow down if the authority simply stuck to its earlier and continuing policy of bigger and better potholes."

Worcestershire Highways Partnership in Bromsgrove manager Jon Fraser said: "Speed cushions are bus and ambulance friendly because it is cars we want to slow down.

"We have had good feedback about traffic along there since the cushions were installed as cars are slowing down outside the school which is what we wanted."

A spokesman for bus company West Midland Red said: "Drivers respond to these measures which have become an integral part of urban life."