WYRE Forest has been given its first speed cameras to target lawbreaking drivers at a notorious Stourport accident blackspot.

Two fixed devices have been placed on both sides of Minster Road, which has a speed limit of 30mph, in an effort to increase safety.

The installation of the new cameras, close to junctions with Manor Road and Longboat Lane, was given the green light in April after 16 accidents were recorded there since 2003.

National guidelines, set by the Department of Transport, state cameras can only be placed on roads where there have been a minimum of eight speed-related collisions over the previous three years.

Any motorist caught exceeding the legal limit would face a minimum fine of £60 and receive three penalty points on their licence, with more serious punishments for excessive speeding.

Vicki Bristow, spokeswoman for the Safety Camera Partnership in West Mercia, said a two-week survey taken on the stretch of road earlier this year showed 60 per cent of motorists travelled at speeds between 36 and 38mph.

She added: "The fixed cameras have actually gone up and we are now working with the local authority to get everything in place to enable the cameras to go live.

"Things like signs and electricity have to be sorted out but we hope to have them fully operational over the next month or two.

"We do have a mobile unit that covers the A456 in Blakedown but these are certainly the first static cameras to be placed in the district."

Youngsters from the nearby Stourport High School cross the busy Minster Road every day and deputy headteacher, Mike Humphreys, welcomed the move.

He said: "Fortunately, we have not had any fatalities but there have been accidents and anything that helps our students and the local community conduct themselves more safely is great news.

"We are very happy. I can see how cameras can irritate people but sometimes we all need to be a bit more speed conscious."