THE John Masefield High School in Ledbury has welcomed news that a proposed new housing estate off Leadon Way could lead to traffic calming on the Gloucester Road, which is one of the main routes to class.

Bovis wants to build 185 new homes off Leadon Way, and it is proposing a number of measures including a toucan crossing "in order to facilitate pedestrian and cycle movements across Leadon Way", together with a cycling and footway from Leadon Way, connecting with the Southend, the road that becomes the Gloucester Road.

A school spokesman said: "John Masefield High School is keen to support any initiative that benefits students who walk, cycle or catch a bus into school.

"Any traffic calming measures that reduce speeding traffic and improve safety are worthy of consideration."

But Cllr Bob Barnes, Cllr Crowe and another councillors are particularly concerned with proposals from Bovis to narrow Gloucester Road, on the approach to the existing Gloucester Road roundabout, from which there is a turn for Leadon Way.

The narrowing of the road, to achieve traffic calming, would be accomplished by widening the pavement at one point; but councillors are worried about the impact on traffic flow, along a busy and important route.

This week, Cllr Barnes called the idea of narrowing the Gloucester road "ridiculous", and he called for the high school to look again at the Bovis plans.

He said: "It's ridiculous to consider narrowing the Gloucester Road. It is a major trunk road. Narrowing would create congestion, including for school buses."

Cllr Barnes also said that the proposed path, linking the Leadon Way to The Southend, would mean that students using it would need to cross the road at Biddulph Way, to get to a pavement, and again at Mabel's Furlong, near the turn for the school.

He said: "This project would create a more dangerous situation for children cycling or walking to school."

Last month, Ledbury's economic development and planning committee voted unanimously to recommend refusal of the outline planning application.

The final decision lies with Herefordshire Council, with the determination date set for March 28.