VEHICLES travelling at "frightening speeds" along a residential street in Kidderminster have prompted a pensioner to launch a petition calling for action before someone is killed.

Jim Cheshire, 70, claimed traffic was reaching speeds of 70mph on Hoo Road, and a car passed him so quickly as he walked along the pavement last week that his hat blew off.

"It's very frightening," he said, adding: "I fear that someone will be killed if this is allowed to continue."

Mr Cheshire, who has lived on the corner of Forester Way and Hoo Road for almost a year, has already collected 60 signatures from neighbours and plans to collect more names.

"Everyone I have asked agrees with me and the feeling is quite strong," he added.

The retired businessman is pressing for a speed camera to be installed, which he claimed would pay for itself within a week. He also criticised the county council for not displaying 30mph signs in Hoo Road.

But acting highways partnership manager, Andy Broome, said the law states that such signs must only be erected at the entrance and exit of a 30mph area and Hoo Road was well inside such an area.

"Enforcement is down to the police," he said, adding: "There has been a lot of development there with houses built on the former college site, and a mini-roundabout has been put in to slow traffic down. We will look at other traffic-calming measures."

Kidderminster police's traffic management officer, PC Julian Turner, said there had been four injury accidents in Hoo Road since 2001, but none were speed related.

"We have not received any complaints about speeding, but will pay the area passing attention," he added.