TARDEBIGGE residents are looking for an answer to speeding problems.

A recent PACT meeting highlighted the issue of speeding in Hewell Lane as one of its priorities.

And Tutnall and Cobley Parish Council chairman Geoff Whitehouse said speeding along Hewell Lane and Alcester Road was an ongoing problem.

He said traffic was particularly busy in the area due to the nearby prisons and because the B4096 was used as a "rat-run" between the M42 and Redditch.

"We are trying various things, we wanted to put refuges in the middle of the road to slow traffic and make it safer to cross Hewell Lane but that was turned down by highways, who say the roads are not wide enough," he said.

He said other options were a mini roundabout near the Tardebigge pub or a 30mph speed limit along the stretch -- all of which had been mooted by the Highways Partnership Unit (HPU).

He added: "To help the situation we have contributed to putting up flashing signs which are going up in the next week or two. We'll see if the signs help but we are still pushing hard for refuges or the 30mph limit."

But Bromsgrove HPU's senior traffic and development co-ordination engineer, Mike Walton, said he did not agree with Mr Whitehouse's suggestions.

"All these things are, in my view, not cost-effective and not in the interests of highways safety," said Mr Walton.

He said they were installing the vehicle-activated flashing signs which he thought would help the problem because even if they only slowed down one person, that would slow the flow of traffic.

"We are doing something but overall we have to look not only at the residents of Tutnall and Cobley but the needs of the greater travelling public," he added.

The next PACT meeting will be held at Tardebigge Church Hall on September 9 at 10am.