A SOUTHAMPTON man has voiced his anger at lorry trailers being left in bus and cycle lanes.

James is "frustrated" at people working with Mayflower Theatre putting their lorries in West Park Road, blocking cyclists and a bus stop.

The 44-year-old, who lives in the city centre, believes the vehicles are putting the lives of cyclists and e-scooter riders in danger.

The Mayflower told the Echo that it has permission from the council to use the bus stops.

James said: “For years, they have been dumping their lorry trailers in bus parking bays and cycle lanes around the theatre.

“I am sure businesses in Bedford Place and elsewhere in the city would love to have that much parking.

“It’s gotten worse and worse, and it’s putting the lives of cyclists in danger.

“How many times do scooter riders and cyclists have to be lucky before they are hit by a car?

“Whilst they are actively increasing congestion it’s also a matter of time before someone is seriously hurt or killed.”

He said “trailers are often left there for days at a time”.

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He has raised his concerns with the theatre before but says nothing has been done.

James wants the Mayflower to stop blocking the road, and added: “Park the lorries on your own land and pay to park your cars like everyone else.

“Being a good neighbour doesn’t mean the neighbourhood should revolve around you. And it certainly should not come at the expense of other people’s safety and cause congestion at the same time.”

The Mayflower said it has three internal loading bays in use all the time.

A spokesperson for the theatre said: “We strive to consider our neighbours at all times and are proactive in managing lorry traffic to minimise the impact, but the scale of the productions we present, to the benefit of our local community, invariably requires a flexibility of approach.

“Where possible, trailers are parked outside the city centre and driven in when the loading bay is clear.”

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