SLOWER speed limits are being introduced down Worcester's A4440 Southern Link Road on safety grounds, it has emerged.

Worcestershire County Council says limits will be reduced to 40 miles-per-hour close to the route's traffic islands in a bid to slow cars down.

The move follows serious concerns about two of the A4440 roundabouts in recent years, including the Ketch island farce which saw three council workers suspended after it was opened early despite having safety flaws.

Whittington island also featured a now-removed slip-road that had to have extra safety measures installed after drivers blamed it for shunts.

The link road is undergoing a major £42 million dualling project so two high-speed lanes go in either direction, with the work lasting until 2019.

But highways chiefs say while the bulk of the route will retain its 60mph limit, they want to reduce it to 40mph on the approaches to the islands as an extra safety measure.

Jon Fraser, head of highways, said: "It was 60 miles-per-hour all the way before but this will change it.

"Because of what happened with the Ketch we've got to be careful, this regularises the situation, we've made sure it all matches up."

Meanwhile, a leading county politician has welcomed the scrapping of Whittington island's old slip road.

MEP James Carver, who lives in Worcester, yesterday branded it "ridiculous" and said it should never have been installed.

As the Worcester News revealed on Thursday, a new-look turn has now been opened which means drivers going left at the roundabout from the M5, looking to head towards Norton island, no longer have to stop.

Mr Carver said: "There were a number of car shunts following its opening in 2012 and finally the council gave it an anti-skid surface to helping vehicles break quicker and painted it yellow to make it more obvious.

"But motorists still hated using it, I was always most mindful of motorcycles and bicycles.

"It was a complete waste of money, with a total lack of forethought going into the highway planning.

"I welcome the redesigned left turn, which is part of the £42 million dualling of the link road.

"I can only hope that it does its job successfully and eases traffic congestion without creating hazards or moving bottlenecks - we don’t need any more expensive lessons."

The county council insists the dualling is already making a significant difference to congestion, with a bid lodged with the Government for £70 million to also enlarge Carrington Bridge.