SAFETY work on one of Worcestershire most notorious accident blackspots will begin on Monday - but campaigners fear it will not stop the loss of life.

A new surface is being laid on a four-mile stretch of the A449 from Ombersley to Claines, a road where dozens of drivers have been killed or seriously injured in the last few years.

However, road safety campaigners are "disappointed" that the speed limit will not be cut to 50mph permanently.

"To my knowledge there have been four accidents on the road this year already," said Wendy Coggan.

"What this will actually do is make it easier to go faster rather than make people slow down."

The work will take place southbound from the A4133 Hadley junction to the Claines island and will take 10 weeks to complete.

A 40mph speed limit will be imposed on the dual carriageway throughout, with occasional off-peak restrictions to 10mph, while new kerbs and drainage are constructed.

The carriageway will also be closed completely between 6am on Saturday, March 19, and 6am on Monday, March 21, for essential work.

A diversion will be in place at this time along the A4133 towards Droitwich, on to the A38 towards Fernhill Heath and A4536 Hurst Lane, to rejoin the A449 at Blackpole, Worcester.

"Following some accidents in 2003, we carried out a study which identified some of the improvements we are working on now," said Amjid Raza, Highways Agency project manager.

"Work will be carried out 24 hours a day, seven days a week to keep disruption and inconvenience to a minimum.

"The 10mph speed limit will only be applied occasionally and at off peak times. Some delays are expected so motorists are advised to allow extra time or vary their journeys."

Lesley Pike, of Hawford Wood, just off the A449, said anything that improved safety was to be encouraged but more should be done to stop future accidents.

"Lowering the speed limit would have made it just as safe but would have been much easier," she said.

"Having said that I would rather sit in traffic because of road works than because of a fatal accident."