A NARROW and unlit lane in Southampton used by disabled pedestrians could become a new 'rat run' for 12,000 cars, it has been claimed.

The unadopted lane in Portswood, which leads from Highfield Lane to Portswood Broadway will offer route for the up to 12,000 cars a day set to be diverted due to the planned Portswood Broadway closure to private cars.

The lane is the only access to Southampton’s Mencap Centre and suffers from large potholes, fly tipping, flooding, no lighting, and anti-social behaviour.

Managers at Mencap called on the council to adopt the lane so that it can take responsibility for its maintenance.

READ MORE: Southampton Mencap: Road full of potholes 'is discrimination'

It is described as being in a ‘dire state’.

Now, with Southampton City Council’s proposal to shut off part of the Broadway to cars and only allow buses and taxis through, both Mencap managers and service users are ‘genuinely worried’ about what the lane could become.

Alexandra Iles, CEO of Southampton Mencap, said: “This entrance (Highfield Lane) and the one from Portswood Road could become a rat run with drivers using this as a short cut.

“It will make it much more difficult to easily access our centre and add to the stress and anxiety that those needing to use our services are already facing as part of their everyday lives.

“More traffic chaos to what is already pretty bad from four different directions and all involving what are already notoriously busy and often gridlocked surrounding roads.”

The permanent road closure in Portswood is planned to be between Westbridge Road and Highfield Lane, and the Mencap lane cuts right round this part of the Broadway, making it the ideal alternative route.

The council says that the parallel corridor of Thomas Lewis Way would provide a ‘unique opportunity to shift traffic away from Portswood Road’.

However, travelling from one side of Portswood Broadway to the other via Thomas Lewis Way is a one-mile diversion.

Using the unadopted lane as a shortcut would add just metres onto a car journey.

It is not just the managers at Mencap who have expressed their fears.

Lisa Stead, who takes her son who has learning disabilities to the Mencap centre, said: “The council has not taken into consideration the impact upon the lane, which will be a rat run.

“There is little room for the navigation of two vehicles on that lane which will also cause more congestion.

“Have they taken on board that a number of disabled users walk to Mencap?

“This is not being recognised as a health and safety issue and consequently carers and people with learning disabilities are being fundamentally let down.”

According to Southampton Mencap, many of those using the centre have to be dropped off by parents or carers.

They all have learning disabilities and many have additional ‘behavioural, sight, hearing or restricted mobility’ and have to be dropped to the door.

The council says that access to the centre car park will still be accessible if and when the Portswood Broadway development goes ahead.

Councillor Eamonn Keogh, cabinet member for transport and district regeneration said: “The proposed bus gate in Portswood will extend from the junction with Highfield Lane to just north of Westridge Road.

“Although it will no longer be possible to approach the unadopted road on which the Mencap site is located by car via Portswood Road travelling south, it will still be possible travelling north from below Westridge Road and via the entrance to it on Highfield Lane.”

Cllr Keogh added: “The recent public consultation has provided us with a lot of valuable insights, which will help shape the Portswood Corridor scheme.

“As a council, we want to work with all interested parties to agree a scheme that can be supported and progressed.

“To this end, we will continue our dialogue with Mencap, along with other businesses, organisations and residents in the local area.”