ANGRY Stourport residents are calling for Worcestershire County Council to resolve the problem of a "nightmare" private road.

Residents in Mill Road and Mill Close are seeking compensation because of the effect they claim the road, owned by developers, Laing Homes, has had on their properties. Complaints include traffic noise, intrusive lighting and lack of speed limit signs.

The road, built as part of the Parklands development, has been open to public vehicles for over a year.

The county council, however, does not believe it meets the required standard for it to adopt responsibility for its maintenance.

While the road remains unadopted any compensation claims, made under the Land Compensation Act 1973, cannot be processed.

The chartered surveyor working on behalf of the residents, Stephen Hinton, explained that unless the road was adopted soon, residents would get nothing.

He said: "The law states that claims become invalid three years after the road was first opened. If it isn't adopted within the next 12 months, then the residents will not be able to claim for anything."

Christine Eaton, who has lived in the area for 36 years, wanted the situation sorted out quickly.

She said: "It looks like the council and Laing Homes are just passing the buck and we are stuck in the middle of it all. This area has drastically changed over the last few years and the situation with the road is causing us major inconvenience."

Managing director of Laing Homes Midlands, Paul Degg, said improvement works were planned.

He explained: "In order to meet these specifications, we will be undertaking remedial works to the road throughout the month. Laing Homes will then retain the road for a 12-month maintenance period."

Andy Broome, acting unit manager for Worcestershire Highways in Wyre Forest, could offer no assurances about how long the process would take.

He explained: "We do not adopt a road until it has been completed to our satisfaction because we have to look after the interests of the taxpayer. This can take several years after the development begins."