VILLAGERS near Hereford are calling for action to be taken to curb speeding drivers and those using the lanes as a rat run, saying the situation is "horrific" and fearing someone will be killed.

One man who moved to Callow, near Hereford, last August said he had already seen six accidents on the road through the village and wants Herefordshire Council to do more to tackle the problem.

A group of villagers want the speed limit through the village reduced from 30mph to 20mph, and that be enforced, along with a weight limit to stop lorries using the lanes as a rat run from the A49 Ross Road to the A465 between Hereford and Abergavenny.

Brian Vince moved to Callow less than 12 months ago and said he faced abuse on a daily basis when he asked drivers to slow down, fearing for his and other walkers' lives with no footpath through the village.

Mr Vince said the lane through the village was not designed for cars and lorries "going at the speed they do".

"The weight issues of the lorries is a major factor, and the aggression of the driver who drive through here," he said.

"If you challenge anybody you get verbal abuse. I shouldn't have to be worried that I'm taking my life into my hands every time I use it as a footpath, because there are no footpaths.

"I live here and I should be able to walk here freely, without abuse from drivers who just can't be reasonable enough to drive sensibly through a country lane."

Callow Parish Council chairman Neil Barrington said speeding had been a problem for several years but seemed to be getting worse, and it was "only a matter of time" before there was a "really serious" crash.

Coun Barrington said backing was needed from Herefordshire Council, which did not respond when asked about the issues, to introduce a speed or weight limit.