Blackspot's cameras on

Speed cameras have gone live for the first time at an accident blackspot on the Kidderminster to Worcester road.

There have been 21 serious accidents on that stretch of the road in just three years, which have claimed the lives of six people and injured 35.

Among those killed, were four teenagers who died after the Rover 220 Coupe they were travelling in careered off the A449 near Ombersley, in 2006.

The car was driven by Martyn Pickering, aged 18, who worked at his father's garage in Stourport.

Also in the car were his friends, Kidderminster College student Kyle Gadsby 18, Joanne Bibby, 17, and Stephanie Goodall, 16.

The Safer Roads Partnership in West Mercia is now monitoring two new static cameras and setting up mobile cameras between Ombersley and Claines.The cameras went live this week and it is hoped the move will dramatically reduce casualties on the stretch of road.

The move comes following a campaign from residents living along the road.

Vicki Bristow of the Safer Roads Partnership said: "We are confident that the higher presence of cameras at this site will make people more aware of the speed they are travelling at and help reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on this stretch of road."

Councillor Nigel Knowles, who campaigned for cameras on the road, said: "I welcome the speed cameras because the road is terrible for speeding traffic.

"It is a fast road and there are too many accidents because people drive too fast and pay no attention to the speed limit."

By Heather Large