CALLS are being made to review the safety of Worcester city centre - after 70 per cent of people insisted it should be less vehicle-friendly.

After the tragic death of Sylvia Russell, who was killed after being hit by a refuse truck near Argos in The Shambles last September, a survey has been taking place asking city residents what should be done.

The poll, by Labour Councillor Joy Squires, asked householders if the city's pedestrianised hours should be extended.

Of 224 respondents, 157 said they should, with more than half of them calling for Worcester's pedestrianised areas to ban vehicles as early as 8am or 8.30am.

And 98 of respondents said they felt in danger in the city's pedestrianised zones.

In routes like The Shambles, where 69-year-old Miss Russell was crushed, delivery vehicles are only barred between 10.30am-4.30pm.

As we reported last year Worcestershire County Council originally pledged to look at the restrictions back in October but nothing has happened, leading to Cllr Squires' survey.

She is now taking a motion to a Worcester City Council meeting this Tuesday calling for a vote to make a formal request to County Hall.

"I have long thought that safety was an issue in Worcester’s pedestrianised streets but the tragic death of Sylvia Russell brought this into sharp relief," said Cllr Squires, Worcester's Labour parliamentary candidate.

"It is clear from the responses to my survey that many people feel the same, and they overwhelmingly back changes to the times vehicles are allowed access to the pedestrianised areas of the city.

"That's why I am asking Worcester City Council to back me in asking the county council, as the highways authority, to look again at the safety issues pedestrians face and bring forward proposals to improve safety."

The motion will call for Duncan Sharkey, city council managing director, to write to Clare Marchant, the managing director at County Hall, asking for a review.

A county council spokesperson said: "As the highways authority, we regularly review Traffic Regulation Orders to ensure access arrangements for vehicles in pedestrian areas are safe for the public.

"We will await the outcome of the motion due to be put forward (on Tuesday) and work with Worcester City Council to ensure any concerns are addressed."

* THE driver of the refuse lorry involved in the incident with the late Miss Russell is on bail until Monday, March 9 while investigations continue.

The driver, who was working for Smith's Waste Management of Gloucester, was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving at the scene.