Following outstanding support from local residents, Southampton Liberal Democrats have written to the Leader of the Council, Cllr Chris Hammond, to present our petitions to improve the junction at Hill Lane/Burgess Road and reduce the speed limit on Bassett Green Road.
Richard Blackman, Candidate for Bassett and Local Party Chair, presented the letters in person to Southampton Civic Centre. They set out our concerns about these two traffic problems and our expectations to address them. You can read the letters in full below.
Hill Lane/Burgess Road
The junction at Hill Lane and Burgess Road is notorious among all road users: drivers, cyclists and pedestrians. The junction features two zebra crossings in close proximity to a busy mini-roundabout, both leading directly to a main entrance to the Common. The result is confusion and disruption, with serious risk of road traffic accidents and injury to pedestrians and cyclists.
Several residents have also raised concerns about the pedestrian crossing outside Winchester Road shops being so close to the main roundabout. Our letter calls for a review of 'active travel' along the entire stretch of Hill Lane from the Common to the Sports Centre.
Our letter was jointly signed by Colin McDougall (Candidate for Shirley) and Richard, as this junction falls of the border of Shirley and Bassett wards. It's not too late to add your signature to the petition - we will continue to present signatures until the Council commits to action.
Bassett Green Road
Starting at the roundabout where the M3 ends, Bassett Green Road has a 40 mph all the way to Bassett Green Village. But as many residents have told us, few vehicles seem to keep to that limit and frequently 'overshoot' when the limit reduces to 30 mph. The result, despite the current 30 mph limit at this location, has been a spate of road traffic incidents near the convenience store.
Since Bassett Avenue has been reduced to 30 mph, the continuation of a 40 mph limit on Bassett Green Road is inconsistent, which could result in further misunderstanding about the actual limits on Bassett Avenue and Bassett Wood Road.
Our petition calls for a 30 mph limit on the length of Bassett Green Road and Bassett Wood Road, to reduce the risk of accidents and cut emissions from vehicles along these routes.
It's not too late to add your signature to the petition - we will continue to present signatures until the Council commits to action.