A WOLVERLEY resident fears a "lack of foresight" is putting children's lives at risk in the village.

Nigel Addison, of Brookside Cottages, has expressed concerns about Worcestershire County Council's Safer Routes to School Scheme, although his views are not shared by the head of a school in the village.

New crossing points near the village schools, overgrown hedges and the narrowing of a main road were among the problems Mr Addison cited as dangers to pedestrians.

He said: "They have widened the footpath through the rock cutting but this has meant reducing the width of the roadway, which is used by heavy vehicles and coaches, many of which instinctively drive close to the kerb to avoid the overhanging sandstone rock face.

"The simple answer would have been to leave the path and the road at their existing width but erected a tasteful black set of railings, in keeping with the conservation area to protect children."

He went on to express his concerns about the location of the crossing points near to the village schools.

He added: "They have placed the one crossing point where traffic speeds down Shatterford Lane, which doesn't usually stop at the island, and on the other side of the road - the school side - the crossing point is placed on a bend where you cannot see what is coming from the direction of the lock. It is a complete blind spot - total and utter madness.

"I appreciate what they are trying to do but there has been a complete lack of foresight and it has not been thought out properly."

Headteacher of Wolverley High School, Kevin O'Regan, felt, however, the scheme had helped to improve life for the pupils.

As part of the process, questionnaires were sent out to pupils, staff and parents, asking them which hazards they encountered on the way to school and what they would like to see improved. After a public consulation several ideas were agreed.

Mr O'Regan said he had not received any complaints and particularly welcomed the widening of the footpath but said some of the measures had only been introduced in the last fortnight.

The council's Travelwise officer, Nicky Luff, said: "The widening of the footpaths still leave sufficient width for vehicles to pass by and, in fact, helps to reduce speed, which can only be a good thing.

"The dropped kerbs were also introduced at a natural crossing point for people from Church Bank. The changes have made it easier for people to cross."