Work has begun on a £500,000 safety scheme on two busy Leicester streets.

Complaints from residents about speeding in Stephenson Drive and Swannington Road, in New Parks, prompted transport officials to draw up a major road improvement scheme for the area.

Yesterday, city councillors and Leicester West MP Liz Kendall visited the area to view the work as it began. The works will see speed humps installed, new bus stops put up, road islands built to improve safety for pedestrians and a 20mph limit near Inglehurst School.

Councillor Abdul Osman, the city council's cabinet regeneration spokesman, said: "Traffic safety has been a major concern of residents in the area because Stephenson Drive is often used as a cut-through for motorists trying to get from New Parks to the city centre.

"A lot of that traffic passes through far too quickly and that is dangerous. When this scheme is finished there will be a much improved environment."

It is hoped that the project will be completed by the end of February or early March.