IT is intended to save lives, but questions are being asked as to why this new pedestrian crossing at Chandler's Ford has been put so close to a blind bend.

Now taxi driver Michael Read, who lives nearby, has called for it to be re-sited because he fears there could be a serious or fatal accident.

It is the last of three new crossings being installed in Oakmount Road following a high-profile campaign to improve safety on one of the busiest roads in the borough.

Mr Read, 62, an ex-teacher who lives in Seymour Close, says that the other two crossings are in perfect positions.

However, he says: "It is crazy to put one of these crossings so near a blind bend. I thought it would have gone further along the road near the bus shelter."

The crossing is near the Fernhill bend where a wall was recently demolished after a driver lost control.

Mr Read said: "Traffic comes along this road very fast and I am concerned that a young mother with children in tow might be crossing when a car suddenly comes around the corner."

Now Mr Read hopes that the crossing, which is not yet in operation, will be re-sited.

Mother of two Caroline Brown campaigned for more than a year to improve safety on Oakmount Road.

Mrs Brown, 41, of Osborne Drive, Chandler's Ford, gathered more than 1,000 signatures for a petition which she handed to the council.

She thought that the Fernhill crossing would have been further down the road towards the bus shelter.

But she said the message to drivers must be: "Where there is a crossing you slow down."

An Eastleigh Council spokesman said: "The scheme design and position of refuges has been given careful consideration. The locations are believed to be the best for both reducing traffic speed and allowing pedestrians to cross more safely.

"Independent checks of the road both before and during the construction of the refuges have confirmed that the design is safe. The scheme will continue to be monitored."