PLANS to install posts at the side of the High Street in Broadway to protect the footpath from heavy vehicles have been given the thumbs down by local residents and parish councillors.

But further talks are expected to be held before any formal view is submitted to the county council as the highway authority.

The subject had been considered for a while because of continuing problems with drivers mounting the kerb and driving onto the public footway.

In response, the county council has offered to install the posts as resurfacing work is carried out.

However, a number of parish councillors voted against the proposal and called for further negotiations with the county.

Cllr Bob Banks said: "What is really needed is stricter policy and better enforcement of the parking laws so that the character of our beautiful High Street can be preserved without being littered with too many posts."

"The county council will replace the broken and cracked slabs, which have been damaged because of the cars, but we don't want them to replace the slabs with tarmac. Neither do we want posts, as it will destroy the ambience of our village.

"The problem of cracked slabs is down to drivers who park on the footpath what we really need parking wardens to fine them," he added.

Worcestershire County councillor for Broadway Liz Eyre, who voted in favour of the posts, said: "I attended an extraordinary meeting of Broadway Parish Council on the May 31.

"The item under consideration was whether when the gavels and slabs in two locations in Broadway are upgraded - an expenditure I have long campaigned and petitioned for - posts should be included in the scheme for pedestrian safety reasons."

Chairman of the Broadway parish council David Folkes said: "Further discussions with the residents and traders will, we hope, take place."