A MASSIVE £63m project to build seven new schools in Bromsgrove could face severe delays over concerns of possible traffic congestion.

Plans have been submitted to Bromsgrove District Council for the new Parkside middle and Meadows first schools, off Stourbridge Road.

But there are concerns over proposed traffic management solutions, which could involve mini roundabouts near the schools.

Bromsgrove district councillors have said they want an undertaking from Worcestershire County Council to carry out any traffic improvements needed once the schools have opened. The county authority has said it will consider the matter, but will not commit itself until it knew what work was involved.

At last week's district council planning meeting, committee members said nearby residents were concerned over the amount of traffic in the area.

Councillor Jean Luck (Ind-Alvechurch) said: "We are being told we are holding up the project, but we are expressing our and residents' concerns over the possible traffic problems."

But Worcestershire County Council leader George Lord (Con-Alvechurch), who lives in Marlbrook, said: "The PFI project means all the schools stand and fall together. The longer the delays go on the more the project is put back and funding could be pulled," he added.

PFI project manager Peter Parkes said a meeting had been held last week with the Highways Authority, county council, district council planners and a ward councillor. Another is due to be held with all ward councillors on September 1.

"If worries are not resolved we may have to put back work on the high schools a year," he warned.

The application has been delegated to district council planning officers to approve subject to satisfactory resolutions from the county council.