PARISH councillors are calling on the county council to close Wyre Piddle's roads after the bypass is built, except for buses and emergency vehicles.

A traffic management survey conducted in January came out slightly in favour of a total closure - 50.3% compared with 48.1% who voted to keep it open with traffic calming measures.

Chairman of Wyre Piddle Parish Council, Gary Robinson, explained that the parish council's suggestion was not on the questionnaire drawn up by county highways officers, but as the voting was so close, they want it adopted.

He said: "If our suggestion had been on the questionnaire I am sure many more people would have voted for closure. We have asked Worcestershire County Council to ban all vehicles from the new roundabout to be created at Moor with a few exceptions. It is less than a mile and a half out of the way for villagers who want to get to Evesham - a small price to pay for Wyre to become a peaceful tranquil village again.

"We were pleased that the county council have consulted us and look forward to a positive result when the matter comes up before the cabinet on June 6. We want our village back."

Village traders are not of the same opinion however. New licensee of The Anchor pub Nigel Green said: "Any closure will affect my business, so I am very much against it."

Richard Eccles, who owns Wyre Piddle filling station and shop, is also opposed to banning through traffic, which is the mainstay of his trade.

The bypass, which was started this year, was the culmination of more than 20 years of campaigning by residents severely affected by the huge increase in traffic.