THE Government has proposed a flexible system of punishing motorists who speed on Worcestershire's roads.

Under the possible measures motorists caught driving way above the speed limit face up to six points on their licence, but those caught just over the limit could get as few as two points.

However, the current penalty, an automatic three-point endorsement and £60 fine, has been successful in cutting the number of speeding drivers.

Also motorists are only prosecuted if they travel at 10 per cent plus two mph above the limit of a particular road.

The most recent speed survey carried out by the Safety Camera Partnership in January shows that because of the camera only 4.7 per cent of vehicles were exceeding the speed limit with the average speed being just 25mph.

The controversy about speed cameras particularly on City Walls Road has provoked a storm of protest from Evening News readers.

"We are very happy to see this decrease in the number of speeding vehicles along City Walls Road, which is also reflected in the reduction of offences being detected," said Claire Greenow, analyst for the partnership.

"This should help to make the road a far safer and more enjoyable place for drivers and pedestrians alike.

"We hope to see similar reductions at our other static safety camera locations in Worcester."

Motorist Gerald Walton, of Battenhall Road, said he was "slightly happy" with the proposals but did not think the measures went far enough.

"I entirely agree with the increased penalty for people who exceed the limit by a lot but for very minor transgressions I don't think there should be any penalty," he said.

"I still don't like the idea that four minor transgression could loose you your licence - it is still out of proportion."

A spokeswoman for the Department of Transport told the Evening News that the Government was not caving in to pressure from disgruntled motorists and national tabloid newspapers.

"We must reduce speeding but it is important that the penalty fits the crime," she said.