Wednesbury crackdown on speeding motorists extended

Campaigners had called on police and council officials to cut speeding along Myvod Road near a cluster of schools.

Motorists had been hit speeds double the 30 mph limits, according to campaigners who called on action to be taken.

Now two more roads will be monitored by police in the coming weeks to raise awareness among motorists.

Bilston Road and Old Park Road will feature in the speed watch initiative following patrols from the police who were joined by Sandwell Council officials.

Ward councillor Elaine Costigan has welcomed the move saying it will boost safety in the longer term.

Myvod Road takes motorists from the busy A461 Wood Green Road near Stuart Bathurst Catholic High School and Wood Green Academy.

It leads towards Woden Road North where parents take children to Old Park Primary School.

Albert Pritchard Infants School is nearby in Crew Road.

Councillor Costigan said: "It is unacceptable for speeding to happen down here.

"It shows the work between the police and the council to tackle the issue.

"The visibility of the scheme is about being seen out by people."

She says she will continue to talk to highways bosses about bringing in improved signage in the road to boost safety for residents and pedestrians.

It comes after she brokered a meeting with residents and the police and council officials over speeding in the road.

One of the campaigners, resident Diane Hayward, said problems has existed for at least a decade in Myvod Road.

The scheme will also be linked with an awareness campaign by neighbourhood police.

This aims to warn motorists to ensure their cars are securely locked after a spate of thefts from vehicles.

Police have already succeeded in halting another problem on the roads in the town after reports of car cruising.

Officers had been out in force on the Black Country Route through West Bromwich, Wednesbury and Great Bridge on a major operation to enforce a new injunction.

Sandwell Council joined Wolverhampton, Dudley and Walsall councils to work with West Midlands Police to get three year injunctions from the High Court in Birmingham in December.

The ban came following complaints from residents saying races were being organised or starting with impromptu meetings on the busy route.