CALLS have been made to introduce safety measures on a notorious road following the death of a young cyclist.

The tragedy was the second in three months on Thomas Lewis Way, one of the busiest routes in and out of Southampton.

A safety plea, backed by residents in the area, was last night made as police named the cyclist killed in a collision close to Belgrave Road on Wednesday afternoon.

Robert Lee, 23, from Millbrook Road West, Southampton, was riding a bicycle close to the Machine Mart superstore when he collided with a black Audi A3.

He suffered severe head injuries in the collision, at 2.20pm, and was taken to Southampton General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The driver of the Audi, a 20-yearold man from Southampton, and his passenger, a 24-year-old woman from Netley Abbey, were uninjured.

Three months ago PC Steve Rawson was killed when his motorcycle collided with a BMW on the same road.

No arrests have been made following either of the tragic incidents.

Cllr Sharon Mintoff, who represents the Swaythling ward, has now called for increased safety measures along the road.

She said: “The speed of traffic along Thomas Lewis Way is 40mph but people always tailgate and drive too fast and there are certain points of that bypass which you can’t overtake on – yet people try to.

“I think if there were speed cameras along that road it will naturally tell people to slow their speed.”

Her views were backed up by those living and working near the road.

One shop trader in Portswood Road, who did not want to be named, said: “The road is notoriously dangerous and there are no traffic restrictions.

“Something needs to be done – there are too many accidents.”

Yagnesh Gor, owner of Morfair Supermarket in High Road, said: “They need to have a speed camera there.

“People drive down there at 50 and 60mph despite it being 40mph. It needs to be sorted out.”

Police are appealing for any witnesses to the collision, or anyone who saw either the cyclist or the car involved shortly before the crash, to call Sgt Gabe Snuggs, of Totton Roads Policing Unit, on 101.