ANGRY residents campaigning for safety measures on a notorious accident blackspot near Droitwich have presented a petition to the Highways Agency protesting against "disappointing" plans for the road.

Hundreds of people have called for the lowering of speed limits on the A449 between Ombersley and the Claines island.

Two Ombersley men, Michael Jennings, aged 22, and Billy Hall, 19, were killed on the A449 when their Ford Fiesta crashed into a tree in December last year.

In April 2003, a man died when his Vauxhall Tigra Coup hit a tree on the central reservation at Hawford Wood.

And in January, 30-year-old Richard Crumpler died at Hawford when his Ford Sierra was in collision with another car on the northbound lane before hitting a tree.

But, despite the fact that dozens of drivers have been killed or injured on the stretch in previous years, the Agency has announced only minor work will take place - and the current speed limit will not change.

A petition signed by 415 people has been given to the chief executive of the Highways Agency, Archie Robertson, as an indication of their disgust.

The petition was organised by villager Wendy Coggan who said: "The residents of Ombersley wanted to express their concern regarding the number of fatal and near-fatal accidents on this stretch of the A449."

"We are appealing for the speed limit to be reduced to 50mph to help prevent further loss of life.

"The Highways Agency has shown little regard for human life, or the standard of living, by announcing it is only going to carry out minor changes or change the speed limit."

"Their announcement was very disappointing, and we are not prepared to give up without a fight."

Mid-Worcestershire MP Peter Luff has taken up the residents' cause.

"I am concerned that the action proposed by the Agency could fall short of local residents' expectations because the real dangers of the road have been underestimated," he said.

"I am also concerned the Agency has not been prepared to listen to the fears of local people."

A spokesman for the Highways Agency said: "Following a productive meeting with the local MP, to discuss draft proposals, a report will be issued very soon."