A VILLAGE plagued with heavy lorries and speeding traffic could get the green light for calming measures.

At Stoke Parish Council's June meeting, concerned residents packed in to discuss traffic problems.

Stoke has constant troubles with vehicles speeding along its country lanes, especially Hanbury Road, and lorries using roads which are too narrow for them.

Traffic development and coordination engineer Mike Walton and acting manager Terry Godwin, from the Bromsgrove Highways Partnership unit, also attended.

Mike said in November 2004 a seven day speed survey showed that the average speed at one spot in Hanbury Road was 34mph, but 85 per cent of drivers did 40mph. He said one way of cutting this was vehicle activated signs, which could reduce speed by three to five mph.

But one resident disputed this average speed.

He said: "Vehicles using Hanbury Road go down there between 60 and 70mph. In two years there have been two deaths. We have come here for action to be taken."

Mike said regrettably some people did speed and the size of the speed limits signs was governed by national regulations.

Residents and councillors also thought extra signs, or possible height activated signs, should be installed near the Hanbury Turn for lorries using Hanbury Road.

Parish councillor Kevin Clarke added: "We no longer have quiet country lanes, they are now rat runs. We want to protect our green belt and see traffic calmed."

It was decided speed surveys would take place in Shaw Lane and Stoke Pound Lane, plus the possibility of two vehicle activated signs in Hanbury Road.

A working party of parish councillors will also be set up to discuss traffic issues with the highways partnership in future.