ALCESTER’S county councillor Mike Gittus is launching a bid to reduce the speed limit on the town’s High Street to 20mph.

Coun Gittus who is currently applying for funding for the alteration, along with engineering works, says the effort is all part of plans to see a safer better shopping experience in Alcester town centre.

He said: “Over the last three years we have seen many improvements in the town centre with highway drainage and resurfacing being the two most obvious.

“As Alcester continues to provide an enhanced shopping experience I intend to bid for the funds to provide better pedestrian crossing points, priority ‘give way’ at the medieval town hall and a 20mph speed limit along the entire length of the main street.

“I have always been aware that the mix of shoppers and cars in shopping areas is a tough act to manage, I am entirely satisfied that the scheme I am presently promoting will enable all road users to enjoy an improved shopping experience, an added benefit will be the ‘give way’ pinch point outside the town hall reducing further damage to the fabric of this ancient building.”

Concerns have been raised in the past that traffic passing close to the town hall building has splashed water up onto the stonework and could potentially cause huge structural problems.

Plans for the scheme are currently on display in Globe House in Alcester, and Coun Gittus is putting the idea forward for a section of a £50,000 bid for highway funding in the coming financial year.