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

Thirty-one hours of checks were organised during the past 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. It was the scene of a fatal crash in 2011 and a woman was also seriously injured in a traffic collision in September.

Mr Croft 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 30mph speed limit zone without slowing down for a few hundred yards. Sometimes it seems a bit mean but it is a 30mph area,” said the 74-year-old.

“Along Defford Road, which is 30mph, they are always right on my tail when I’m driving.

“I think a lot of the speeding boils down to people running late.”

The sites on Three Springs Road and Defford Road 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 down 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 if they use alternative routes, and improve the safety of the roads for all those who use them.”

Enforcement will continue at both sites.