RESIDENTS living in an area of Warndon Villages are questioning whether works planned for surrounding roads really needs to be done.

Anne Slade, a civil servant who lives in the Harley Bakewell area of the villages, said she was surprised to receive a letter on Monday from Worcestershire County Council's Highways department alerting residents to surface dressing work that is planned for the area.

Mrs Slade, who has lived in the villages for 13 years, said she didn't think the work needed to be done.

"The roads around here look in really good condition," she said.

"There aren't really any potholes or signs that the surface is breaking down. We live here and have to drive over these roads all the time, so we'd be the first to say if something needed doing.

"But I just think that in these times of cutbacks, the money could be better spent elsewhere. This is a fairly new estate. I don't know if there is some policy to do the roads after 15 years or so, but perhaps they should only be done then if they look like they need it."

Jake Hawkings has lived in the area for 17 years.

He said: "I don't think the roads round here need doing, it seems like unnecessary work which will just cause a hassle for residents."

The works begin on Friday and will last until either Sunday or Monday depending on the roads, and all surface dressing is weather dependent.

Councillor John Smith OBE, cabinet member for Highways, said: "Surface dressing is a preventative measure for maintaining our county's roads that reduces the need for further, more costly and more disruptive work in the future. In addition, the process is efficient and relatively quick which reduces disruption such as road or lane closures that would cause more problems for drivers.

"We appreciate the Surface Dressing Programme can cause inconvenience for residents and motorists, for which we apologise. We do everything we can to inform people in advance, including delivering an explanatory leaflet on why and how the work will be done.

"We know from speaking to residents and businesses that improving the condition of our highways is a priority. We've invested more than £50million to projects like this over the last few years. The situation has improved but we're still committed and will continue our efforts."