Yet more trouble at Bitterne accident blackspot

The accident sent bricks crashing towards the front of the house and brought down the entire wall.

The crash, involving a Southampton man who was driving a black Ford Mondeo, happened on the eastbound carriageway of Bitterne Road West, just before the junction with Englefield Road.

Although no-one was seriously hurt in the incident residents say it is just the latest in a spate of seven accidents on the 30mph road during the last ten years.

Steven Barnes, 44, who works in the road transport business and lives in Bitterne Road West, said: “We heard a big bang and then saw that the wall had collapsed.

“The car looked like a complete write off.

“It’s the second time the wall has been knocked down in three years and the seventh accident in ten. Something needs to be done.”

Mr Barnes and his wife Doreen, who works for Southampton Airport, said they would like to see speed cameras better located on the road to prevent motorists picking up speed before they reach the first bend in Bitterne Road West, after the Northam Bridge.

A council spokesman said it pedestrian and traffic improvements were planned for the road.

Safety works He said much of the safety works would be carried out on the Bullar Road junction – further up Bitterne Road West – where several incidents have been recorded in the past.

“Our engineers will be looking at how signalling and pedestrian improvements can be made to improve safety,” he said.

A police spokesman said they were taking no action against the driver, who was treated by paramedics at the scene for minor injuries, then given a lift home.

Julian Hewitt from the Safer Roads Partnership said it had not been informed of the crash as there was no casualty however it would review what enforcement action was being taken on the stretch of road and would consider introducing a speed indicating device.

He added there needed to be four serious injuries over a three-year period for a fixed speed camera to be considered.