VILLAGERS near Winchester fear a traffic calming scheme may actually be increasing danger for pedestrians.

People in Twyford say the measures, which included the removal of a traffic island on Main Road, has done little to slow traffic.

The £120,000 county council scheme introduced new white lines to narrow the carriageway and bollards to mark suggested crossing points.

It's failed to prevent hundreds of vehicles each day breaking the speed limit. Now county council roads bosses have agreed to meet parish leaders to discuss the problem.

One mother who struggles to cross Main Road at morning rush hour with three children is Sonia Watson, of Park Lane.

She takes her three sons, aged between one and four, to school and pre-school.

She said: "You have to be looking in three directions at once at the traffic and at the children.

"The cars go particularly fast. They don't anticipate that people want to cross the road.

"I really worry for the older children crossing on their own. We need an island or a zebra crossing.

"I'm mortified to think someone has to get injured or worse for anything to be done."

Steve Clark, a parish councillor, said: "The problem of speeding is still there. We're sceptical that painting lines will do any good.

"In fact the scheme has created confusion. They have put in crossing points. It is not clear who has priority and who has to give way. We want an old-fashioned zebra crossing.

"We're anxious that our kids are still having to risk their lives crossing the road. The traffic is causing a major social divide in the village. People cannot safely cross the road."

The parish council has been trying to raise the issue with the county for more than six months, said Mr Clark.

County council tests showed that 15 per cent of traffic was exceeding 38 miles per hour in a 30 mph zone.

A county council spokesman said: "One of our officers will call Steve Clark to set up a meeting with him about the issues he raises.

"We're not aware of the parish council's concerns or its attempts to meet with us but we're very happy to do so to discuss the matter further in the hope that a way forward can be agreed."