MORE than 1,000 drivers have been caught by new speed cameras on a 'killer road' into Worcester in just two months.
The new average speed cameras have caught 1,459 drivers breaking the 50mph limit on the A449 between Worcester and Kidderminster since going live eight weeks ago.
The new average speed cameras on the A449 between Hartlebury and Ombersley went live at the end of October.
Campaigners had dubbed the notorious stretch of dual carriageway "killer road" following a high number of crashes sadly resulting in deaths and serious injuries.
This notorious stretch of road has seen at least 35 crashes between Chatley Lane and King's Hawford School in the last 20 years.
In 2019, a pedestrian was taken to hospital with life threatening injuries after colliding with a car on the road.
55-year-old Anthony Ryder was also killed on the A449 when he was hit by a car in December 2017.
In 2007 Michael Jennings, aged 22, and Billy Hall, aged 19, both from Ombersley died after crashing into a tree near Hawford Wood.
In 2006, four teenagers were killed when the car they were travelling hit a tree.
Bright yellow average speed cameras began being installed along the road in August and people living nearby immediately saw a change in drivers' behaviour.
Speaking in October, Ultimate Wraps, which is based in Hartlebury Trading Estate, said they had made a huge difference.
"We pull out from the Hartlebury junction and it's made it so much easier."
Former county councillor Fran Oborski said: "As I drove back from WCC [Worcestershire County Council] there were still a few speed merchants but far fewer than previously."
The cameras aim to influence and change driver behaviour so that the speed limit is adhered to throughout the whole section of the route by enforcing an average speed, 24 hours of the day.
The project was a partnership between West Mercia Police, Worcestershire County Council and speed technology firm Jenoptik and has been funded by West Mercia Police and the Police Crime Commissioner Road Safety fund
Superintendent Gareth Morgan said: "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."
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