Call for 20mph zone in Malvern amid speeding concerns

Worries over the safety of Malvern’s roads have increased in recent weeks after a car struck six pedestrians in Church Street in August, leaving one woman fatally injured.

Beverley Nielsen, a county and district councillor for Malvern, wants to see the introduction of a 20mph zone, as well as other traffic calming measures in accident hotspots.

She is due to meet with Worcestershire highways chief Mike Rouse and Malvern mayor Clive Hooper to discuss the matter in October.

Speaking at Malvern Town Council’s meeting on Wednesday, September 6, Cllr Nielsen said: “I have been inundated with highways requests from members of the public.

“And despite the wonderful highways officers we have, who make a lot of things happen, I find an awful lot doesn’t happen - and people see the things that aren’t happening.

Cllr Beverley Nielsen is calling for a 20mph limit in Malvern (Image: Supplied)

“I’m lobbying really hard for 20mph across Malvern. And I’ve been meeting with traders who would be in favour of a 20mph limit on Worcester Road.

“I have asked about a crossing point on Priory Road outside Malvern Splash, but been told we can’t have that even though it seems obvious to us.

“And I will be lobbying for significant traffic calming measures on Worcester Road and Church Street.”

READ MORE: Speeding in Malvern's Pickersleigh Grove could kill someone, residents say

District councillor John Raine, speaking as a member of the public, raised the issue of speeding in Hornyold Road, highlighting the number of parked cars on one side of the road as a particular problem.

And Rosemary Portman, representing residents of Pickersleigh Grove, said: “We want a camera to catch speeding motorists and drug dealing.

“There are no signs to say there is a school, no 20mph signs or traffic calming measures.”

Cllr Nielsen carrying out speed checks in Malvern during lockdown

She said residents had been putting up with speeding issues for three years.

District councillor Fran Victory said she had spoken to “so many residents” about speeding.

David Mead, who is both a town and district councillor, highlighted traffic issues in Court Road caused by the recent closure of Poolbrook Road for emergency highways works.

Cllr Rouse, the county council's cabinet member for highways, said last month the council was looking at "potential improvements" for Church Street following the fatal crash.