A NOTORIOUS Evesham accident blackspot will see its speed limit slashed from 60mph to 40mph in a bid to tackle the spate of incidents including fatal accidents.
National Highways is to introduce a new, lower speed limit to improve safety on the A46 near Hinton Cross. The limit will be temporarily reduced from 60mph to 40mph over a 1.5km stretch of road following a number of collisions, with a view to making the lower speed limit permanent.
New signs and road markings will be installed on the A46 from just north of Hinton Cross to just south of the B4078 at Sedgeberrow over the coming weeks.
Villagers living along the A46, who first raised their concerns about the road last year, won support from Pershore’s MP Harriett Baldwin who has lobbied National Highways and the Department of Transport since the issue was raised.
Mrs Baldwin first wrote to the agency last year urging it to expedite road safety solutions to prevent serious road accidents along the A46 where people in the surrounding villages turn on to the busy road.
The MP also met with parish representatives and visited the local primary school to hear reports of how dangerous stretches of the road have become – particularly in difficult weather conditions.
The Observer reported last July on calls from the MP for the process to be speeded up in a bid to curb the number of incidents on the ‘dangerous’ stretch of road.
Speaking after the announcement, Mrs Baldwin said: “Anyone who drives along the A46 through Worcestershire knows this can be a dangerous stretch of road and as someone who regularly has to cross the road, I’ve seen the treacherous junctions at first-hand, many times.
“This speed limit is an important first step and I hope that it also comes with a commitment to enforce the 40 miles per hour restriction.
“It has taken a very long time to work through the red tape to get this speed limit in place but I am relieved National Highways have opted for this limit.
“This is now going to need a commitment from the police and Safer Roads Partnership to enforce the limit and we’ll hopefully see a reduction in the number of incidents along this stretch of road.
“The most important outcome that we all want is a safer road and the reduction of accidents along the A46,” she added.
National Highways route manager Fiona McKenzie said: “Slowing the traffic on the main A46 will now give vehicles wanting to join from the local side roads extra time to complete their manoeuvres safely.
“We urge road users to be aware of the reduced limit once it comes into force and to adhere to it for their own safety as well as that of others.”
