GREEN campaigners are calling for a radical new approach to traffic calming in Stroud town centre - removing traffic lights, speed bumps, warning signs and pedestrian crossings.

Right of way indicators, centre lines and bicycle lanes would also be scrapped if the new system - which has been tried successfully in Holland and parts of the UK - were to be adopted.

To compensate for the move, speed limits would be reduced to 20mph. The aim would be to make drivers think about their actions and do away with 'the illusion of safety'.

Philip Booth, of Stroud District Green Party, said: "Roads can be made less dangerous when drivers stop looking at signs and start looking at other people.

"It is about social behaviour rather than controlling road users.

"In the Netherlands, this approach has been introduced in several towns with impressive results.

"Accident rates have fallen, in some cases by half, congestion has not occurred and pedestrian and cycle use has increased as people feel safe using the streets."

Russell Cook, whose 11-year-old son Scott was killed in an accident on the A46 at Rooksmoor in April, said the report was an interesting idea for urban areas.

Mr Cook said: "There have been some shocking accidents in Gloucestershire recently and any measures that improve road safety must be welcomed.

"If research has shown this type of street planning reduces accidents then yes, it should be considered in the appropriate areas."

But Cllr Rob Sinfield, who represents the Rodborough ward for the Conservatives, branded the scheme 'unrealistic', adding: "It's not going to change the way the British motorist works.

"I would agree that we could do without lots of street clutter but I simply can't cope with the anti-car thinking of the Green Party.

"Like it or not, cars are here to stay."

HIGHWAY experts met this week at the spot where 11-year-old Scott Cook died to discuss traffic calming measures.

Scott's father Russell had been asking Gloucestershire County Council to improve safety on the A46 near the Old Fleece Pub in Woodchester for nearly two years before Scott was killed there in April this year.

Mr Cook said he welcomed the move, though it saddened him that it had taken Scott's death to bring it about.

Mr Cook said: "Doing nothing to that road isn't an option. We lost Scott - we don't want to see another death there."

A GCC spokesman said: "We are focusing our attention toward speed reduction measures and additional pedestrian facilities.

"The next move, within the next few weeks, will be to arrange a meeting with local people, including Mr Cook, the parish council, the county council and police."