TRAFFIC schemes are being planned in a bid to reduce the number of accidents in the district.

Accident "hotspots" in and around Malvern have been ranked in terms of the number and severity of accidents and sites prioritised for road improvements.

Malvern Highways Partnership Forum is required by the Government to reduce the number of accidents where people have been killed or seriously injured by 40 per cent by 2010, and the number where children have been killed or seriously injured by 50 per cent.

The junction of Albert Road North and Church Street was identified as having the highest priority and, as a result, "slow" signs have been introduced.

Traffic signals and a pedestrian crossing at Link Top are planned as the best solution to cut down on the high number of pedestrian accidents there. Over the past three years, there have been 12 accidents at the junction.

Highways manager Mike Davis said they are planning to install the signals next year.

"We did look at putting in a roundabout but the concern was that it wouldn't address the problem of the high number of pedestrian accidents," he said. "So, although the lights are more expensive, they're the better solution."

Upton town centre was also highlighted as a priority, with nine accidents in the past three years. So far, the Forum has been unable to find a solution to the problem.

Mr Davis said there was no specific site which needed addressing, rather the town as a whole.