Safety measures costing £24,000 have been put in place on Southampton road where an undercover police officer died in a horrific high-speed crash.

The Daily Echo previously reported how PC Steve Rawson, based at Fareham, was on duty and riding an unmarked police motorcycle in Thomas Lewis Way when he was involved in a collision with a BMW.

Southampton City Council has now extended the road’s central island, opposite the garage, with bollards both ends to protect motorists.

Vehicles are banned from carrying out the right-turn manoeuvres, but Bob Painton, Swaythling ward councillor, said they were being attempted on a daily basis by motorists before the bollards were installed.

Cllr Painton added he was involved in a near-miss on the road just 30 minutes before the crash involving PC Rawson happened - and almost got hit again a few weeks ago.

“It was only recently that someone turned right out of the garage after filling up with fuel. They swung out in front of me and I had to brake hard."

John Apter, chairman of Hampshire Police Federation, said: “Any improvements to the junction which would minimise the risk of any accidents can only be a good thing. With the history of collisions at this junction, it’s just a pity that this work was not carried much sooner.”

Ahmed Mohammed, 37, manager of the Shell garage on Thomas Lewis Way, said he believes the bollards will improve the safety of the road.

He added: “We been waiting for these improvements for a long time – however, some motorists are still trying to turn right into garage by driving around the five bollards, which is dangerous.

An inquest heard how PC Rawson was killed during a high-speed crash involving a silver BMW that was turning right out of the petrol station. The 40-year-old dad-of-two was riding at around 90mph while on an undercover surveillance operation when the crash happened.

Despite the best efforts of police colleagues and paramedics at the scene, PC Rawson was pronounced dead on arrival at Southampton General Hospital. Following his death, hundreds of people donated thousands of pounds to support the popular police officer’s family.