DRIVERS in Kempsey are putting children at risk by speeding in Old Road South and parking on pavements.

The junction with Squires Walk is particularly dangerous and local motorists are chiefly to blame, parish councillors have agreed.

Parishioner Michelle Dix told members she was worried about the increased volume of traffic in Old Road South generated by new development.

She had seen a number of "near misses" caused by bad driving.

"As the parent of two young children, I am concerned that there is an accident waiting to happen," she said.

Kim Rowswell, who lives in Meadow Close, off Old Road South, was also concerned about the dangerous junction with Squires Walk.

"Part of the problem is speed. I don't know what you can do about people's bad driving, but the junction definitely needs improvement," she said.

There was no footpath on one side of the road and the condition of the existing footpath, with overhanging hedges, forced pedestrians into the road, she said.

It was suggested that the registration numbers of offending cars should be noted and reported to Kempsey beat manager, PC Alan Naulls.

Neville Brookes also suggested having a strategically placed mirror, so that people could see approaching traffic round the corner.

District councillor Mike Biddle said Westbury Homes had paid £10,000 towards the cost of extending the footpath to the corner on the opposite side of the road to Mrs Dix's house.

The work depended on home-owners allowing some of their land to be used.

Mr Biddle also commented on the number of motorists who park on pavements, forcing people in wheelchairs and those with pushchairs to take to the road.

"I don't know why they do it, when there is a perfectly adequate width road to park in. It is very selfish and unfair," he said.