Southampton Liberal Democrats Demand Better for Southampton

Petition letters submitted to Council leader

Posted by Alexander Clifton-Melhuish | Updated

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 in front of the Civic Centre

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.

Dear Cllr Hammond, Local residents in both Bassett and Shirley wards have requested that a petition be raised to ask for improvement of the junction of Hil Lanne, Burgess Road and Winchester Road. The junction, with its pedestrian crossings, is seen as unsafe and inefficient for pedestrians, motorists and cyclists. As local campaigner, we have agreed to facilitate and convey these concerns. The junction in questions covers Hill Lane from Burgess Road to Winchester Road. However, we strongly recommend that Hill Lane up to the Sports Centre is included in the review. Our petition has been signed by over 200 local residents, which demonstrates the strength of feeling on this matter. On their behalf, we request that Southampton City Council: commissions a comprehensive review of the junction, pedestrian crossings and roundabouts; develops a range of options to make the junction safe and efficient for pedestrians, motorists and cyclists; consults on these options, including a public meeting presenting the option to local residents; urgently fund and implement the agreed changes. We have agreed to provide feedback on progress to local residents, so can you please advise your response as soon as possible. Yours sincerely, Richard Blackman and Colin McDougall. CC: Southampton City Council Chief Executive; Bassett and Shirley ward councillors.

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.

Dear Cllr Hammond, In response to concerns expressed by local residents to us about safety on the stretch of Bassett Green Road between the Chilworth Roundabout and the junction of Bassett Green Village, we set up a petition to enable residents to call for a reduction in the speed limit from 40mph to 30mph. Since then, more than 140 residents have signed, which demonstrates the strength of feeling on this issue. The safety of pedestrians, cyclists and motorists have all been raised with me. On behalf of local residents, I request that Southampton City Council undertakes the necessary legal changes to reduce the maximum speed limit to 30mph on Bassett Green Road and Bassett Wood Road. This also brings these roads into line with the reduced speed limit on Bassett Avenue. We have agreed to provide feedback on progress to local residents. As such, I would be grateful if you could advise as soon as possible. Yours sincerely, Richard Blackman. CC: Southampton City Council Chief Executive; Cllrs B Harris, L Harris and J Hannides.

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