HALF an hour later and a child could have lost their life.

That’s the message from angered residents of an accident blackspot in Southampton after another collision.

A car smashed into a nearby fence after the crash on the corner of Kathleen Road and South East Road in Sholing yesterday.

The owner of the house, David Poore, said it was the fourth time in six years that his fence had been destroyed by an accident at the junction.

Just four weeks ago, as reported by the Daily Echo, one car was left on its roof after a collision with a van.

Incredibly, no-one was seriously injured.

The drivers of both vehicles walked away from yesterday’s accident, which occurred just after 2.30pm.

David, 33, said that although Southampton city councillors had been visiting the junction following a string of accidents, something had to change immediately.

He said: “You see so many crashes here, there was one a month ago and the sign across the road is still knocked over because of it.

“It’s the fourth time in six years that the fence has been taken down. Councillors have been out, but it’s time and time again this happens.

“These accidents cause travel chaos, this one happened at 2.30pm and by 3.05pm, you have children walking this way from the school. It needs traffic lights.”

Another resident of 20 years on Kathleen Road said if the accident had been half an hour later, a child or parent could have been killed.

Tony Garrett, 60, said: “The car came flying onto the pavement when it happened. I heard it and it was quite a loud bang. If this happened just half an hour later, a parent or child could have been on that pavement, and they could have been killed.

“I avoid the junction, and although speed is a factor, the speed bumps put in place are useless. You need traffic lights and pelican crossings.”

A police officer at the scene confirmed that no-one had been injured after two Peugeot 207’s had collided.

Firefighters from Hightown also attended, advising drivers to slow down because of the heavy rain.

Community leaders have previously criticised the layout of the road, with councillors meeting Sholing community members in March to discuss the issue.

Southampton and Itchen MP Royston Smith said that he thinks the entire junction should be raised, with city councillor Graham Wilkinson saying he thinks traffic lights should be put in place.

He said: “I would put temporary lights on that crossroads. If they do stop the accidents then we have a case for permanently installing them.”