HUNDREDS of Southampton residents have signed a petition to stop dangerous driving along a busy road.

Portsmouth Road in Lowford, Bursledon has been witness to multiple instances of reckless driving in recent weeks.

A lollipop lady dramatically avoided being hit by an on-coming car on Friday after the driver refused to stop at a zebra crossing.  

Victoria Price, 39, has started a petition to make the road safer, which has attracted more than 500 signatures.

Speaking to The Echo, Victoria said: “I’ve never done anything like this before, but the traffic is just getting worse and worse along Portsmouth Road.

“I was pleasantly surprised to see that the petition has gained over 520 signatures as I only started it a couple of days ago.

“But the community seem to have really come together on this one.

“It would be nice if I could get 1,000 people sign the petition to show people that we’re serious about making the road safer.”

READ MORE: Car nearly hits Bursledon lollipop lady on Portsmouth Road crossing

Victoria, whose daughter often crosses the road when making her way to and from secondary school, is particularly worried for children as one woman was left with a fractured wrist following an accident in December.

Victoria said: “There’s a large number of children who walk along the road to school.

“My daughter is in secondary school and I’m constantly worried about her crossing the road without supervision when the lollipop lady isn’t there.

“I’ve been told that the lollipop men and women won’t be replaced when they decide to retire, so they keep going for the sake of the children and they shouldn’t be put in an awkward situation.”

READ MORE: Woman injured in 'two-vehicle hit and run' at zebra crossing

Victoria is hopeful Hampshire County Council can find a solution that will prevent reckless driving along Portsmouth Road in the future.

She said: “It’s for the council to determine but I’d be in favour of seeing some fixed traffic lights implemented.

“I often find that cars will acknowledge the lights and stop for them.

“However, a lollipop person in a high visibility jacket isn’t taken as seriously.”

In a statement, Hampshire County Council's Executive Member for Highways and Transport, Councilor Nick Adams-King told The Echo: “I’m very concerned to hear about the recent reports of incidents at the crossing on Portsmouth Road, in Bursledon.

"Our School Crossing Patroller, who was involved in an incident on Friday, has had an opportunity to discuss the incident with our Highways team, and I’m thankful to learn she was not seriously hurt.

“I would urge anyone who witnesses an incident of this nature, to immediately inform the police.

"We will be reviewing the incidents ourselves, to consider whether any interventions could be put in place that would improve road safety at this location.”

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