A petition calling for the speed limit to be reduced on a notorious stretch of road has been posted on the Prime Minister's website so people can add their names to the 2,000 signatures already collected.

Jim Turner, headteacher of King's Hawford School, off the A449 between Claines and Ombersley, near Worcester, said the stretch had claimed the lives of 12 people in nine years, with another 69 injured.

He decided to support a petition to cut the speed limit from 70mph to 50mph and introduce measures to improve road safety which attracted 2,000 signatures.

Now Mr Turner has posted the petition on the Downing Street website in a bid to gain more signatures.

"I'm absolutely delighted we have had 2,000 people who have gone out of their way to sign it," he said.

"But there was limited potential for it because it was on paper.

"I wanted to put the petition somewhere where people can sign it from their own homes."

Mr Turner said the "horrific number" of deaths on the stretch highlighted the need for action.

He said: "It is an unbelievable number. I think that particular stretch is clearly unsuitable for a speed limit of 70mph and I also think the road modifications that were made a number of years ago have had an effect of increasing road speeds along that stretch, without dealing with some of the major problems that are there.

"It's a very busy road where people are travelling at excessive speeds.

"Unfortunately there are a number of accidents waiting to happen."

Yesterday, the Worcester News revealed a 41-year-old man was fighting for his life following Friday's accident on the road, which claimed the lives of 18-year-olds Kyle Gadsby and Martyn Pickering, of Droitwich, Stephanie Goodall, aged 16, and 17-year-old Joanne Bibby, both of Worcester, in December.

Mr Turner said he intended to present the petitions to the Highways Agency, which is responsible for the road, and then Worcestershire County Council, which takes over on July 1.

The website has publicised some high-profile petitions, including one against the introduction of road-pricing, which was signed by more than a million people.

To sign the A449 petition visit petitions.pm.gov.uk/ A449Worcester