50mph speed limit on Bewdley bypass to be made permanent after public backing
The 50mph speed limit on Bewdley Bypass will become permanent from next month after winning public backing.
The 50mph limit in both directions will come into force on July 3. The changes were temporarily introduced last year after a review carried out by Worcestershire County Council in the wake of a number of road crashes including some fatal collisions.
It was launched after a public consultation exercise to gather views about road safety between Clows Top to the West Midlands Safari Park.
Hundreds had previously signed a petition calling for improved safety measures.
Councillor Dan Morehead posted on Facebook: "Following on from the temporary introduction of the 30mph and 50mph speed limits, these proposals have now been fully reviewed and authorised for implementation by the council's Traffic Engineering Team without modification.
"This follows a public consultation period and consideration of the formal public objections received. The contractor will begin installation work around July subject to weather and their programme/emergencies."
The bypass is a single carriageway road running to the south and west of the town. The change will see a permanent 50mph speed limit on the entire bypass from Longbank Roundabout to Blackstone Roundabout.
Many residents took to Facebook to air their views on the situation including Cindy Cooper who posted: "The 50mph limit on the bypass is not going to stop idiotic drivers.
"We nearly got hit head on by a driver on Sunday as he decided that he would overtake over the solid white lines as he approached the bridge and blind bend at the top of the bypass! I do however feel that 50mph should be reverted back to 60mph once the bridge is reopened.
"You’re not going to stop those who think they are above the law so whatever the limit there will always be those who ignore it. It’s not the speed limit or the road that’s the issue it’s the drivers that are at fault!"
On April 4 car left the carriageway and mounted the island in Kidderminster Road at around 2am on April 4 resulting in a man, aged in his 30s, being arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of drink and drugs.
On June 11 two men were taken to hospital following a crash on the carriageway involving a Citroen and a Mercedes at about 11.20pm.
On June 2 last year motorcyclist Adam Robson, aged 47, died after a collision with white Mercedes van and his green Kawasaki. His family have been backing calls for road safety improvements.
