Average speed cameras on main route out of Worcester switched on

Drivers on what was once dubbed as 'killer road' will have their average speed recorded along the 50mph stretch of road.

During the past three years, three people have been killed on the 50mph section of the A449 with a further four people suffering serious injuries.

Speeding or inappropriate speed was noted in the majority of incidents as a contributory factor.

Police and the county council hope they will reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on the road as well as reduce speed and improve safety.

The bright yellow cameras are now in place and fully operational throughout the whole section of the route enforcing an average speed 24 hours of the day.

The project is a partnership between West Mercia Police, Worcestershire County Council and leading speed technology firm Jenoptik.

Signs appeared along the A449 in August ahead of the work

They were funded by the West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner's Road Safety Fund.

Superintendent Gareth Morgan said: "The installation of these cameras is part of our efforts to improving safety on the A449 and the opportunity to use new technology to combat this is an exciting move for us.

"There are many families that unfortunately know far too well the devastating consequences that speeding and collisions can lead to.

"Reducing the number of people killed or seriously injured on our roads is our priority and reducing the speed that people travel is a key part of this.

"Apart from the obvious consequences if you are involved in a collision, if prosecuted for speeding, the minimum penalty is a £100 fine and three penalty points.

"You could be disqualified from driving if you build up 12 or more penalty points within a period of three years”.

Ongoing evaluation will be taking place and will inform future decisions over how this technology can be used in other areas of West Mercia.

PCC John Campion said: “Too many people die or are seriously injured on our roads.

"Road safety continues to be at the heart of my work as commissioner with my focus being on tackling inappropriate speed and driver behaviour.

"Schemes such as this are a vital tool to ensure we reduce the life changing impact of poor driver behaviour on our roads.”

County councillor Tony Miller, said speed is a concern that is often raised by people living in the area.

"It is great that we can use this technology to try and reduce speeds along this stretch of the A449 and in turn reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured."

Jon Fraser, Worcestershire County Council Highways, added: "I'm confident that the new average speed system for this stretch of the A449 will go a long way in making the road a lot safer for all road users.”