By Jason Lewis, Local Democracy Reporter
The eastern side of Southampton has been neglected in the introduction of 20mph speed limits, councillors have been told.
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Sholing resident Sharon Hopkins called on the city council to improve safety in Middle Road and White’s Road.
Addressing full council, she said 130 residents in these two roads signed her petition requesting action by the local authority.
Ms Hopkins said: “This deputation is asking Southampton City Council to put road safety before cost implications and introduce 20mph limits or some kind of other calming provision to more areas on the eastern side of the city, particularly Middle Road and White’s Road.”
Sharon Hopkins, who is calling for 20mph speed limits to be introduced in two roads in Sholing. Photo: LDRS
More than four years ago the council invited requests for new 20mph speed limits.
Fourteen areas were identified as having community support, including the area of Sholing.
Parts of Bassett, Shirley and Woolston have seen the slower speed restriction introduced.
Ms Hopkins said: “Apart from in Woolston and some calming in Spring Road, the eastern part of the city has been neglected a bit in this respect.
“I’m advised by the highways and traffic management department the council intended to progress with 20mph speed limits in 14 areas as funding allowed but sufficient funding has not yet been made available.
“A lot of the traffic in Middle Road and White’s Road is connected to the schools and college situated there and there are several dangerous points at the beginning and end of the day, especially when a number of buses also make the roads hazardous.
“A number of crashes have occurred, not necessarily recorded officially, when residents have had their parked cars driven into and for those with driveways exiting onto the road can frankly be quite scary when cars seem to appear from nowhere.”
Ms Hopkins said the council’s use of previous crash data to inform priority locations suggested action was only taken after incidents occurred.
She said residents’ first-hand knowledge and experience should be considered as a red flag rather than ignored.
Labour council leader Alex Winning, who is responsible for transport, said 20mph limits did reduce average vehicle speeds.
He said: “The data is really important to making those decisions when we look at 20mph zones.
“I take the point that when we review that it’s retrospective around near misses and accidents and I think it’s right we listen to residents firsthand who live on the street and there every day.”
Cllr Winning, left, said he would speak with officers to explore review the situation in the esat of the city.
He said the budget approved in February included funding for electronic vehicle-activated signs which tell drivers to slow down.
On the resident support for the petition, Cllr Winning said: “That’s something we need to take on board, we need to listen to and I’ll take it forward with officers.
“I am more than happy to keep in touch with you as well and your neighbours and residents because it’s really important we keep that communication open and find a sensible solution to move forward.”
• A year ago the Local Democracy Reporting Service noted that a Lib Dem councillor had called for the speed at which 20mph zones are introduced to be increased. We have previously reported, there have been a number of requests for 20 zones in Bitterne Park dating back to at least 2021, including around Whitworth Crescent, on Genfield Avenue, Manor Farm Road, Oaktree Road, St Catherines Road and Dimond Road - still believed yet to have moved to formal consultation stage.
In its response to a petition for a 20 mph zone in Manor Farm Road in 2021/22 the council said: “In total, the Council received requests demonstrating community support for 47 streets or areas. All these have been consolidated into 14 areas which will be individually consulted over the next two years through to the end of 2023”.
Links
SCC: Consultation
SCC: 20mph Residents’ Requests
Previously
Consultations to take place on proposed 20mph schemes - bitternepark.info 2022
Residents launch petition for 20mph zone on Manor Farm Road - bitternepark.info 2021
Councillor presses for accelerated roll-out of 20mph limits in city streets - bitternepark.info 2025
Cllr Winning photo: SCC
This article is from the Local Democracy Reporting Service. Some alterations/additions may have been made by our site - a BBC Local News Partnerships member. BBC-funded LDRS journalists cover local authorities and public service organisations, with content shared by all partners.