A FATAL crash on the main road between Malvern and Worcester has led to calls for urgent speed enforcement on what has been labelled “one of the deadliest roads in the county”.

The campaign is being led by Roy Winwood, who lives just off the A449 at Newland and has logged 19 serious accidents on the stretch between Malvern and Worcester since September 2005.

After the latest accident, which saw 27-year-old Malvern man Alex Martin lose his life after colliding with a lorry on November 21, he is demanding Worcestershire County Council takes immediate action.

An inquest into Mr Martin’s death has opened and adjourned.

There is no suggestion at this stage that speed was a factor in the crash.

Although the council extended a 40pmh zone coming out of Malvern earlier this year, Mr Winwood, of Stocks Lane, feels it is nowhere near enough.

“There are serious problems with speeding and reckless overtaking and the layout at present is a recipe for carnage and loss of life,” he said. “It has been going on for years. It is not a case of people will be hurt if nothing is done, they are already being hurt.”

Mr Winwood’s fears are shared by members of Newland Parish Council.

Chairman Heather Jeavons said: “Certainly over the five years I have been chairman we have been expressing our concern about speeding on the A449.

“We are grateful for what has been done but it desperately needs enforcement.

“It is a road that unfortunately does attract people who go too fast and until there is enforcement people will continue to disregard the speed limits.”

Mr Winwood, a 65-yearold retired builder, has submitted his own solution to the county council, calling for a 50mph speed limit right through from Malvern to Powick, speed enforcement and a no-overtaking zone marked out in red paint along the entire stretch.

He also wants a section of dual carriageway at Powick removed and cycle lanes extended all the way to Malvern on both sides of the road.

He has lobbied the council before, leading an ultimately successful campaign for traffic measures at a notorious blackspot on the A443 at Abberley.

Worcestershire County Council says it has no further plans to change any speed limits on the road.

A spokesman said: “The speed limit on the A449 between Malvern and Worcester has been subject to a review and the 40mph speed zone has been extended. It is being monitored and is currently working well.”

  • Flowers have been laid at the side of the road where Mr Martin died.