Pedestrian crossing on A35 Totton Bypass is due to be made safer

Hampshire County Council is concerned about the number of incidents that have occurred on the crossing, which is on the A35 Totton Bypass.

It is only a few yards from the Rushington roundabout, one of the busiest junctions in the town.

Users of the crossing include children or their way to and from Hounsdown School and families attending events at the Eling Recreation Ground, including the annual donkey derby.

Now the county council is drawing up proposals to make the area safer.

Cllr David Harrison, who represents Totton and Marchwood, said: "I really don't like this crossing. There have been numerous reports of motorists failing to stop when the lights change, several near misses and a few incidents involving vehicles colliding with pedestrians.

"The fact this is a school route and the primary means by which children access the recreation ground and youth club means it qualifies for close attention."

Many of the more serious incidents have occurred on the westbound carriageway.

According to official figures, six injury accidents occurred on or near that section of the crossing in the five-year period ending in March 2018.

Cllr Harrison said: "Three involved pedestrians, including a fatality and a serious collision. There was also an incident with a cyclist.

"The trend prompted Hampshire County Council to add this location to the Casualty Reduction Programme for the current financial year. It's one of more than 100 locations in the county, spread over 5,000 miles of highway."

Cllr Harrison said new high-level signing was one of the options under discussion.

He added: "I'd also like to see the speed limit reduced on the approach to the crossing and have asked for this to be considered.

"It is hoped that action will be taken before the end of this financial year."

In 2014 an elderly pedestrian was left fighting for his life in hospital after an accident involving a bus.

According to police the pensioner was using the crossing when he was in collision with a Bluestar single-decker. He was taken to Southampton General Hospital with serious head injuries which were described as potentially life-threatening.

Last year a female pedestrian using the crossing was seriously injured in an accident with a Vauxhall car. The driver was later prosecuted.