SPEEDING is not really an issue in West Malvern, despite perceptions, residents were told at the annual parish meeting last night, Monday, April 11.

Rod Reynolds of the Safer Roads Partnership attended the meeting to explain the results of a speed survey that was carried out in the village earlier in the year.

He said the survey was carried out at two locations, in West Malvern Road and in Croft Bank, between February 1 and 18.

In West Malvern Road, the average speed was 25.5mph towards North Malvern and 26.3mph the other way; in Croft Bank, the figures were 26.7mph towards West Malvern and 24.7mph towards Mathon.

The survey followed concerns raised by the parish council about speeding in these two roads and in Lower Road; however, due to parked cars and the nature of the road, no realistic data could be collected in Lower Road.

Mr Reynolds said: "West Malvern has roads that were designed as cart tracks, but which are now carrying traffic loads much greater.

"Although there is a perception there is speeding, the perception and the reality are different things, as the data shows."

He said that parked cars in West Malvern's roads are probably acting as a traffic-calming measure.

Following comments from residents, Mr Reynolds agreed to carry out a similar survey in Old Hollow, and advised the parish council that it could get a speed-activated sign that could warn drivers who were going too fast.

At the meeting, the council also heard a reports from chairman Joyce Roberts about developments in the last year, and from the footpath and tree wardens.