Campaigners have urged highways bosses not to “wait for a death” on what they described as a dangerous Hampshire road.

Southampton Cycling Campaign says urgent safety measures are needed along Stoneham Lane to prevent cyclists becoming victims of serious accidents.

Its members say speeding traffic, a lack of lighting and no dedicated paths for cyclists endanger their journeys from Greenways, in Southampton, to Eastleigh.

Lyn Brayshaw, 46, a part-time teacher, from Highfield, has written to Hampshire bosses on behalf of the group, since part of Stoneham Lane is the responsibility of Hampshire County Council.

She said how she fears for the lives of her and her children with whom she regularly cycles the route.

The group is calling for urgent safety measures to be installed on Stoneham Lane, including kerbs and better lights under the motorway, and said the speed limit should be 30mph or less.

In a letter to highways bosses, the group wrote: “The acid test is: would you let an 11-year-old cycle home from secondary school along this road on a winter’s evening?”

The mother-of-two has contacted Hampshire County Council highways boss Cllr Rob Humby, calling for immediate measures to be taken.

Cllr Humby has responded by saying that work is planned for Stoneham Lane as part of a new housing development.

He explained that as part of the agreement for the new estate, developers had been asked to invest in improving the junction of Stoneham Lane and provide a cycleway and footway near the current Trojans site.

However, despite this, the cyclists are demanding that something is done now.

Campaigners have invited Cllr Humby to get on his bike and see for himself just how dangerous they believe the road is.

When the Echo went to press, Cllr Humby had not confirmed whether he would take up the offer or consider any of the suggestions made.

Campaigners also highlighted how improvements to the road would encourage cyclists to use it, helping tackle pollution.

“Lots of people don’t cycle because of the perceived danger. Having a cycle route would make things better,” Lyn said.

As previously reported by the Daily Echo, Southampton was identified as one of the most polluted cities in the country, prompting city leaders to come up with a plan to cut emissions and pollutants and increase the city’s cycle network to encourage more people to take up cycling.