RESIDENTS living on a rural country lane which is being used as a 'rat-run' during the partial closure of one of Hereford's busiest roads are urging motorists to slow down.

Those living on Cotts Lane fear there could be a serious injury caused by people driving too quickly along the road, which is being used to avoid a lengthy diversion.

The A438 Ledbury Road has been closed between the bridge over the River Lugg near Lugwardine and Netherwood Lane, opposite the Cock of Tupsley since July 31 – with works expected to be complete by August 25.

Daphne Burton, 76, said: "This is a country lane not a race track so it is very narrow in places with 'blind' bends.

"Can people either use the correct route of the diversion which is through Whitestone or slow down and respect the people who live here and also walk along the road with dogs."

Western Power Distribution (WPD), the company responsible for the county’s electricity distribution, said work is needed to repair and strengthen the base of the A438 as part of a project to protect an electricity cable which supplies power to 8,000 people in Hereford.

Maps placed on WPD’s website outline an official diversion taking people out of Hereford on the Worcester road before turning south at Newtown Cross and then west at the Trumpet junction.

However, some motorists have been choosing to use Cotts Lane as an unofficial diversion route.

Although the national speed limit is in place on most of the lane, Mrs Burton said it is so narrow that it is not practical to exceed 20mph or 30mph.

Despite this, she said residents are left feeling like they are taking their life into their hands by simply walking their dogs, due to the speed of the cars.

"We would like them to just slow down," she added. "They are going to use it anyway but we just don't want them to drive it like a bat out of hell."