MORE than 550 speeding tickets have been handed out in Pershore after enforcement was carried out in two traffic hotspots.

Thirty one hours of checks were carried out over the last six months on Three Springs Road, near the junction with Long Hedges, and on Defford Road, opposite the entrance for Birlingham Close.

A total of 552 drivers were issued with tickets – with a significant proportion of offenders living locally.

Ray Croft, of Pershore, recently called for action on speeding drivers on Defford Road, which was the scene of a fatal crash in 2011 and a woman was seriously injured in a traffic collision in September.

The 74-year-old said he was pleased to see the enforcement.

“I am glad something’s getting done because people come down the hill and head into the 30 mph limit without slowing down for a few hundred yards.

“Sometimes it seems a bit mean but it is a 30 area,” he said.

“Along Defford Road they are right on my tail, I think it boils down to people running late.”

The two sites form part of the Safer Roads Partnership community concern programme, which responds to community requests for speed enforcement.

The aim of the sites is to bring speeds to an acceptable level.

Anna Higgins, spokesman for the Safer Roads Partnership, said: “There is still a significant speed compliance issue in the area, which is reflected in the offence levels.

“A significant proportion of offenders are local people, and many people use Three Springs Road and Defford Road when there are engineering works or delays on the main High Street through Pershore.

“While it can be frustrating for motorists to be delayed by roadworks or heavy traffic, we urge them to comply with the speed limit, especially if they use alternative routes, and improve the safety of the roads for all the other drivers who also use them.”

She said that enforcement will continue to be carried out at both sites.