CALLS for road safety measures to be introduced in Leominster have been backed by the county's Green party councillors.

Some residents of South Street and Hereford Road want the speed limit reduced to 20mph along its length, and for traffic islands to be put in place intermittently.

They say that with two schools, the town's hospital and leisure centre all nearby – and all with vehicles coming and going – the current 30mph limit is not safe.

Councillor Jenny Bartlett said: "Residents have been telling us of their concerns for some time and we have been trying to get things done. Heavy goods vehicles, often diverting from the A49 and A44 to shorten their journeys, cars bringing pupils to the schools and visitors to the leisure centre and hospital all add to the traffic on South Street, and some of it is going too fast to be safe.

"Schools are encouraging pupils to walk to school but it needs to be safe for them to do so. We would like to see 20mph speeds introduced in all residential areas, but this would be a start.”

South Street resident and town councillor, Jane Lacey, added that car parking charges in town have led both shoppers and traders to park in residential areas, including South Street, which has added to the dangers.