A GRIEVING son has called for improved traffic safety measures at the New Forest junction where his elderly mother was killed.

Bruce Parris asked highways bosses to take action after Pauline Parris was hit by a white van while crossing the busy A336 in Bartley.

His safety plea came after a coroner ruled that the 84- year-old’s death was accidental.

Mr Parris, who lives in London, said: “The local authority surely now needs to look at it.

“There have been some serious accidents there in the past and the road has been closed a number of times because of collisions.

“My mother and father had lived there for 20 years and knew how dangerous it was.

“It seems to me that there is a need for a pedestrian crossing.”

Mrs Parris was crossing Southampton Road at around 3pm on November 12 last year when she collided with the renault van near the Haywain pub. She was given first aid treatment and rushed to hospital, but died an hour later of multiple injuries.

Driver Simon Reeves was subsequently cleared of driving without due care and attention. Mr Reeves, 34, of Bartley Road, Neteley Marsh, told magistrates in Southampton he “would have done anything to avoid the collision.”

Tests carried out by crash investigator PC Dave Whiting showed that, based on where the accident happened, Mrs Parris had stepped into the road two seconds before the collision. Witnesses supported Mr Reeves’ claim that he tried to swerve from her and hit the brakes as soon as he saw her. Coroner Keith Wiseman said he would write to Hampshire County Council’s Highways department asking what safety measures could be taken at the tragic spot.

The council said bollards and safety markings were installed in October. Further investigations were due to take place over the next year.

DRIVER: Simon Reeves. Verdict: accidental death.