Speed limits cut on Wednesbury estate after 64 injured and one killed in five years
An accident blackspot area in Wednesbury will see a 20mph zone introduced on roads in that ward to 'reduce accidents'.
It comes as it was revealed there has been 43 accidents over a five-year period in the Friar Park ward, resulting in 64 casualties and one death.
Council bosses say 'significant risks' have been identified, with arrangements now being put in place to 'manage and mitigate' them.
They add that the basis of a ward-wide 20mph zone will help police enforce powers easier by knowing the area.
The zone will be introduced on all roads in the ward with the exception of Crankhall Lane and Woden Road East.
The estimated cost for the scheme will be £20,000, being funded through the West Midlands Local Transport Plan Capital Allocation for 2017/2018.
Councillor David Hosell, cabinet member for highways and environment, said the ward was 'crying out' for something to be done.
He explained: "We held a consultation and meeting within the community and everyone was mainly in favour of it.
"This is a good and positive plan to make the roads safer in this particular ward.
"Friar Park is one of those estates that forms a circuit that has wide roads and schools with lots of pedestrian areas.
"It is one of those places that is crying out for something to be done and encourage people to slow down.
"We will make sure that we enforce it too, by working together with the police."
A report set to go to a Highways and Environment meeting next week, states 'the majority of the accidents were caused by poor observation and poor driver discipline'.
It reviewed accidents during a five-year period from October 2012 to now (OCT 17).
Documents state: "The introduction of a 20mph zone will reduce accidents on the Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council highway network.
"The introduction of a 20mph zone will reduce vehicle speeds approaching the junctions and crossing areas providing a safer environment for local people and visitors to the area, whilst giving police the powers to enforce the new limit.
It continues: "Based on the information provided, it is the officers’ opinion that for the significant risks that have been identified, arrangements are in place to manage and mitigate these effectively. This assessment has identified there are no current 'red' risks that need to be reported."
Three consultation events were held in the Friar Park ward earlier this year, with 5000 letters about the scheme delivered. Only two objections were received.
