MAJOR improvements are being carried out on the road where a teenage cyclist collided with a car and died nearly two years ago.

Chris Garner, 13, suffered serious head injuries in the accident as he rode home from watching his brother play football.

He was cycling down Woodmill Lane in Bitterne Park, Southampton, to his home in Cornwall Crescent when the accident happened in October 2003.

The teenager's death led to angry calls from families and community leaders for improvements to the notorious road.

Kim Garner, Chris's aunt, was one of the campaigners.

She said she hoped the improvements would help prevent another death.

She said: "Since his death concerned parents have been campaigning tirelessly to have improvements carried out.

"Chris's death was just one of many accidents that have happened along Woodmill Lane.

"It's taken some time to get this far but we believe there will be benefits. Let's just hope that they are able to save another child's life."

After Chris's death the Daily Echo backed a football event in his memory, the Chris Garner Challenge Cup, and more than 300 of his friends took part.

Carriageway markings are being laid down in Woodmill Lane, as are bus boxes in the next few weeks. These are meant to give the impression that the road is narrower and to highlight the bends and steep incline.

Pedestrian counts have been carried out and the results show a new crossing is needed near Dell Road. Anti-skid surfacing will be laid at a later date and once the work is completed traffic counters will be put down again to see if there has been any effect on speed.

Susan Trigger, head teacher of Bitterne Park School, where Chris was a pupil, said after his death the school was inundated with parents demanding improvements.

"About three months after his death we held a public meeting with the council and police. We expected about 50 people but had more than 200. This proved the level of public outcry," she said.

The school is also hoping to add a lollipop lady in Woodmill Lane but recruiting is proving difficult.

Nigel Impey, ward councillor for Bitterne Park, said: "There is more that should and can be done in this road and others like it, and there is more that will be done.

"We, as road users and pedestrians, must do our bit by being alert and watchful at all times and driving safely and within speed limits."