THE Minister for Transport, John Prescott is to be told about traffic problems in Westfaling Street, Hereford.

Residents there claim that drivers are ignoring a weight limit on the street and that heavy lorries are still using it as a short-cut 'rat run' across the city.

They claim that, despite complaints, not enough is being done to implement the weight restriction.

Local resident Harold Morgan and neighbours say they have sought help from Herefordshire Council the police and the traffic commissioners and the local MP, with little effect.

Now they have had a promise from the Conservative shadow Minister for Transport, Bernard Jenkin, saying he will take the matter up with Mr Prescott on their behalf.

In a letter to Mr Morgan he said the root cause of unsuitable roads being used as rat-runs was the lack of a bypass, sorely needed in Hereford.

This was made clear to him in a visit to Hereford and he though a bypass would help address the reason for unsuitable traffic using Westfaling Street.

Mr Jenkin said he would report back on Mr Prescott's reaction to his inquiry.

Herefordshire Council introduced weight restrictions, yellow lines and a pedestrian crossing in Westfaling Street last year following a petition from residents about the dangers of drivers, and in particular heavy lorries, using the street as a short cut to avoid congestion in the city.