A ROAD plagued with potholes "discriminates" against disabled people as it is the only way in to a Mencap centre, a charity manager has said.

Situated off Portswood Broadway, the "disgusting" road is full of pot-holes, fly-tipping and drainage issues, and is "very difficult to walk down".

Just some of the many examples include people with prams being "unable to navigate", a short-sighted person having a "serious trip", and a mobility scooter user having to get "hauled out of a pothole".

Elly Iles, Mencap Southampton’s activities manager, spoke to councillors at full council on Wednesday in a bid to get the authority to act.

But Southampton City Council may not do anything to repair it as the road is unadopted.

READ MORE: 'Potholes are ruining our cars' says frustrated resident 

She said: “This is a very busy, very engaged, thriving part of the community. It is an essential part of the learning disability community in Southampton.

“We have 150 unique service users coming in; some come in by taxi, some by car, many come in by foot.

“Unfortunately the lane has potholes and huge drainage issues.

“When it rains, the lane becomes flooded. It becomes very difficult to walk down.

“People with learning disabilities, many of whom have physical disabilities as well – it is in a sense discriminating against (them).

“We are appealing to the council to help us to implement long-term solutions to change the situation and make it a safe place for everyone, particularly people who are vulnerable.”

The road is unadopted, which means it is not the council’s responsibility to maintain.

However, the landowners are several businesses along the road, and unless they all agree to do something about it, the problems will not be fixed.

In the past, Mencap has put temporary measures in place itself, but these measures have been shortlived.

Mencap is calling for the council to adopt the road, so that it is able to fix the road itself, put in lighting, and sort out the fly-tipping.

Councillor Eamonn Keogh, cabinet member for transport said, that at the moment the council has limited power to intervene, but said he will visit the site and write to the landowners.

The council has previously - under a Tory administration - funded repairs on unadopted roads near homes and businesses.

READ NEXT: Unadopted road in 'appalling' state set to be improved

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