Totton: Safety railings at Rushington roundabout removed

The metal railings separated the Rushington roundabout at Totton from a pavement used by a large number of pedestrians, including schoolchildren and families living on a neighbouring estate.

The road camber has been improved as part of a project to make the area safer, but the railings have not been reinstated.

Now Hampshire county councillor David Harrison, who represents Totton South, is urging the authority to think again.

Campaigners are calling for safety railing to be reinstated at the spot were several HGVs have overturned (Image: Newsquest)

Posting on social media he said the pavement had been moved back from the road and was higher than before, which should go a "long way" towards improving safety.

But he added: "A number of people have asked whether crash barriers will be reinstalled.

"They may not have been deemed necessary given the other measures put in place and it is fair to say that crash barriers get completely crushed when a 40-tonne lorry tips over.

"I take the view that cyclists and pedestrians will feel a lot safer with barriers in place, so I will push for these to be included."

Campaigners are calling for safety railing to be reinstated at the spot were several HGVs have overturned (Image: Paul Weller)

In a subsequent post he added: "Whilst I agree that all the changes they are making are very welcome, and do indeed make the roundabout a lot safer, I think this is an example where it is worth reinstating barriers to give pedestrians and cyclists that extra level of reassurance.

"I don't know if I will get my way. There is a cost to consider."

READ MORE: Highway chiefs launch attempt to stop lorries toppling over and crashing down on pavement

Referring to proposals to reopen a Totton town centre junction he added: "Not going ahead with the Junction Road scheme would save up to £1.7m. That sort of money would buy a lot of crash barrier, with money over to spend elsewhere."

Other social media users are also calling for the barriers to be reinstated.

Campaigners are calling for safety railing to be reinstated at the spot were several HGVs have overturned (Image: Newsquest)

One person posted: "They stopped people, children and pets from running, walking or falling into the road and into the path of oncoming road. These risks have not been removed by moving the pavement back or by making it higher."

Another described the adjoining road as "incredibly busy".

They added: "I would argue that the crash barriers aren't for the vehicles but for the pedestrians, particularly those with younger children who can so easily take off in the wrong direction."

A county council spokesperson said: "We are looking into the feasibility of the suggestions that have been made and will be responding in due course."