A mother says she is terrified every time her children leave for school due to speeding motorists using a main road as a “racetrack”.

Nima Sverdvik, 48, has to watch as her nine-year-old daughter and 15-year-old son cross Mousehole Lane for school every day.

She said motorists regularly drive at 50, 60 and even 70 miles per hour despite the presence of seven schools very close to the road.

Nima said: “Children as young as 11 are expected to walk down this road twice a day despite the fact that it is being used as a racetrack by drivers.

“There are so many schools really close to Mousehole Lane and we have students from each school walking to and from school, via Mousehole Lane every day.”

Bitterne Park, Harefield Primary, Moorlands Primary, Charlton House Independent School, Glenfield Infant, Beechwood Junior School and Yarrow Heights Special School are all in close proximity to the busy road.

The mother-of-two added: “We desperately need some traffic calming measures in this area to make drivers reassess the speeds they are coming down the road.

“One young boy that attends Bittern Park has already been knocked off his bike by a driver.

“Thankfully he was okay, and the driver stopped to assist him but it is only a matter of time before something more serious occurs.

“A lollipop lady has even stepped down after a car came off the road and ended up crashing near to her station.

“I believe the road could use a combination of a 20 mile per hour speed limit and a zebra crossing so that school children have a safe area to cross.”

Part of the reason motorists travel down the road at high speeds is attributed to the fact the road is on a hill.

Southampton City Council has secured external funding from the Department for Transport’s Active Travel Fund to improve safety around Mousehole Lane.

A council spokesperson said: "The proposals will be shaped through local consultation.

"We started this collaborative process in July 2023, where we asked residents and pupils Glenfield Infant and Beechwood Junior Schools their opinions on safety and walking / cycling routes in this area through an online survey.

"Designs for a signalised crossing are being produced now in line with feedback received and available budget. The council will consult on those plans in coming weeks through a Traffic Regulation Order. Construction is planned for next year."