THE death of a Worcestershire woman on a village road could have been avoided if the highways partnership unit had listened to residents' fears, villagers claim.

Jean Cowell died on the B4503 between Leigh Sinton and Malvern after the car in which she was travelling was involved in a head-on collision on Monday afternoon.

But those living on the road claimed they had warned police and the partnership that someone would die after a string of accidents on the road. The mile-long stretch is sandwiched between two 30mph areas which residents say results in drivers "putting their foot down" to make up time.

Jill Harrison, who has had barriers put around her gas mains to protect it from cars ploughing into her garden, said drivers regularly crashed through residents' fences.

"It's like a race track," she said, "It's only luck that no one had been killed before this tragedy. We tell the police about our fears when they attend incidents, but nothing is done."

Neighbour Valerie Lampitt said she was told by the partnership that there was not a problem with the road.

West Mercia traffic officer PC Mike Digger said comments at the scenes of incidents were taken into consideration.

Nils Wilkes, maintenance manager for the Worcestershire Highways Partnership unit, said extra traffic safety measures being implemented would depend on the outcome of the police investigation.

"Until we are in a position to study official reports we clearly cannot determine the best action to take," he said.

"If proposals are put forward, then a consultation exercise would be undertaken involving the parish, district and county councillors."