WORK to cut accidents at the McDonald's island in Oakenshaw finally started on Monday, despite county highways chiefs saying it would begin in the school summer holidays to reduce disruption.

Worcestershire County Council's accident studies team has finalised plans to try to cut the number of crashes at the Rough Hill Drive roundabout on the A441 - the second worst accident blackspot in the county.

Since the council began its consultation, there have been three more collisions involving injuries.

Senior engineer Dave Clee said: "After much debate and reconsideration of the original scheme - and with particular reference to points raised by local driving instructors - the construction phase started on Monday.

"This is regrettably a lot later than the scheme was originally programmed for. But it is hoped that, weather permitting, the scheme can be completed within three weeks, the second week of which coincides with school half-term, which should minimise disruption."

County Councillor Philip Gretton said: "It may seem this scheme has taken a long time to put into place but it was important we got things right.

"We've had a number of valid comments from interested parties and not all of them were along the same lines.

"We said back in July it was obvious we couldn't make everyone happy. At the end of the day, we want to first and foremost reduce accidents.

"The new speed limits and high-friction surface will play a big part in that."

A new 40mph speed limit will come into force around the traffic island, including 150 metres of the A441 Alvechurch Highway.

Over the last three years, there have been 31 accidents at the island, with 39 people injured.

These figures do not include bumps and shunts, most of which go unreported.