Traffic near Southampton General Hospital sparks 'numerous complaints'

Four councillors have signed an open letter to health bosses calling on them to take action after what they call "the ongoing congestion situation" around the University Hospital Southampton site, saying it is a "regular occurrence most weekdays between the hours of 2pm and 4pm."

The letter, signed by Coxford ward councillors Beccy Greenhalgh, Rebecca McCreanor, Matt Renyard, as well as Eamonn Keogh – Southampton City Council lead for transport – have all added their name on the letter.

Cllrs Beccy Greenhalgh, Eamonn Keogh and Matt Renyard have signed an open letter to hospital bosses (Image: Newsquest)They say: "We are compelled to write to you regarding the ongoing congestion situation at your main entrance.

“As ward councillors, we have had numerous complaints from residents both within the immediate vicinity and further afield regarding this long-running issue.

“We are aware that the Cabinet Member for Transport, local Councillors and Southampton City Council representatives have visited on site and in writing with various members of your organisation on several occasions to try and address the issue in both the immediate and longer term.”

University Hospital Southampton

READ MORE: 'Pensioner attacked' at Southampton Hospital left woman fearful

The representatives have even suggested that a marshal could help manage traffic outside the hospital’s main entrance during peak times, imploring University Hospital Southampton to consider ways to ease congestion around the medical centre in the "short to medium term".

They added: “As it currently stands, the measures discussed do not appear to have been consistently actioned, and while we recognize that you have/are planning to bring in a consultant to look at addressing things in the longer term, it would be remiss of us if we didn’t raise the concerns about the impact this is having in the short to medium term.”

The councillors go on to say that congestion surrounding the hospital has a wider impact on the "well-reported" bus delays, with residents finding it difficult to go about their normal day’s business.

"The knock-on effect of a 20 to 30 minute delay in and around the hospital can and does have a wider impact on those routes throughout the afternoon and into peak bus travel times.

“We have allowed several months’ grace before writing this letter which we feel we must now do in the public domain,” the councillors stated.

They added: “Obviously we recognise, applaud and support the amazing work University Hospitals Southampton do, both for the city and the wider region, and this letter in no way should diminish that respect that we have for the hospital in that regard.”