CIVIC chiefs are being urged to take action to prevent people jumping from the Itchen Bridge in Southampton.

Campaigners are calling for suicide prevention measures to be taken on the bridge, which is reported to have seen more than 200 deaths since it opened in 1977.

Three years ago 2,500 people signed an online petition calling for suicide prevention barriers to be installed to prevent the "continuing devastation" being caused to families by loved ones taking their own lives.

Now another petition has been launched in an attempt to persuade the authorities to take action to prevent further tragedies.

Campaigner Graham Flooks said: "I've seen over ten helicopter call-outs for incidents just in the last year.

"Southampton City Council happily takes tolls from vehicles crossing the bridge but is doing nothing to prevent the suicides that are happening all too frequently.

"The council has a duty of care to all and this petition is to 'encourage' them to install safety measures to stop these terrible events.

"It's going to cost money and it’s not going to look pretty, but it will save lives."

More than 180 people have already signed the petition, which will be presented to council bosses and Southampton Itchen MP Royston Smith.

Mr Smith said: "Every death is a tragedy and first and foremost we must remember what drives someone to take their own life and think of the people they leave behind.

"The city council has been asked to improve safety a number of times on the Itchen Bridge but have not been able to come up with a solution.

"I think they really must re-look at this a matter of urgency but I acknowledge there is no easy answer.”

City councillor Lee Whitbread added: "It would be useful to look at the practicalities of physical barriers and perhaps even CCTV.

"It is probably better for everyone to look out for one another and for support services to be in place when needed."

The council leader, Cllr Chris Hammond, was unavailable for comment.

If you need someone to talk to, you can call Samaritans on 116 123 or visit www.samaritans.org.