CONCERNS have been raised about why a private road has been prioritised for repairs when other roads in Southampton also need work.

A total of £250k has been allocated to carry out improvements on the privately owned Lordswood Close in Basset.

As an unadopted street, the road is not owned by the council and instead, residents are expected to pay for any works.

But under new plans by Southampton City Council, Lordwood Close is set to benefit from a complete resurfacing, new pavements and new streetlights as part of a £22m highways scheme.

The move has proved controversial with residents and opposition councillors putting forward their worries and on Thursday, cabinet member for growth and deputy council leader, Cllr Jeremy Moulton faced questions on the subject at a council meeting.

Cllr Moulton argued that the road was constructed post-World War 2, and that it appears to be an “oversight” that the road was never adopted in the first place.

But speaking after the meeting, leader of the opposition, Cllr Satvir Kaur, said that no reasoning has been given on why the road with 14 houses on it has been selected above other council owned roads.

“We have been given no justification why this private road was prioritised over others, no criteria, plan or policy by which this decision was based.

“At best its crooked decision-making and at worst, smacks in the face of every other resident currently living on a council road, that has been waiting for their road and pavement to be fixed, or other improvements in their neighbourhood.”

Daily Echo: Lordswood Close, Southampton.

Residents previously told the Echo that they were concerned about the safety of the road and that they had been calling on the council to adopt it since the 60s.

Cllr Moulton, said: “The new Conservative council has put in place the largest ever road and pavements repairs programme the city’s ever seen, and Labour voted against this.

“All over the city now roads are being repaired which Labour refused to support. Specifically for Lordswood Close, this road is in a dire and dangerous state.

“The council is intervening to give a lifeline to these residents who are also tax payers. A full policy will be brought to the full council in the spring for all councillors to review and vote upon and Labour at that point will be able to decide whether they support intervention in unadopted roads.”