RESIDENTS in a Southampton community where a 13-year-old boy died in a road smash are calling for safety measures in the wake of the tragedy.

The death of Chris Garner has devastated householders in Bitterne Park. More than a dozen bouquets were laid down yesterday beside the scene of the accident in Woodmill Lane by family friends and school mates.

Chris was cycling to his home in nearby Cornwall Crescent after watching younger brother Steve play football when he was in collision with a Renault Laguna at around 5.10pm.

He was rushed to hospital but died at 6pm.

Nearby residents spoke of their shock and said road safety measures were needed to help prevent a repeat of the tragedy.

Malcolm May, 53, said: "I certainly think the council should have taken action over this.

"The council needs to put speed bumps in or a crossing on the road."

Andrew Doherty, 30, said: "It can be very bad along the road, especially during the week.

"Something needs to be done about it."

Another resident in Woodmill Lane, who asked not to be named, said: "In the last few months there have been children that have been involved in accidents, though nothing as serious as this."

Football-mad Chris started at Bitterne Park Secondary School last year, after leaving Townhill Junior School.

Headteacher Susan Trigger said: "Christopher was a popular student who was well-liked by his colleagues and his teachers. He was a good sportsman, particularly at football, and he played for the school team when they recently took part in the Hampshire Cup Final.

"Christopher will be sorely missed."

Richard Cole, acting head at the Townhill school, said: "He was arguably the best goalkeeper we have had on our school team.

"Our school is a sombre place as we come to terms with this tragedy."

His uncle, Clive Garner, 40, comforted Chris's devastated parents David and Karen after the accident.

He told the Daily Echo: "He was football mad and won lots of trophies. He had so many friends; he was just a lovely lad."

Poignant tributes were paid to Chris in notes attached to bouquets of flowers placed beside the site of the accident.

One said: "You have been taken from us so suddenly and will be missed by us all but never forgotten."

Another said: "Always gave us a wave and a smile. One in a million."

The driver of the car involved in the collision, a woman in her 40s, provided a negative breath test after the accident.

Police are still investigating how it happened.

A city council spokesperson said: "Our sympathies are with Christopher's family following this tragic accident.

"We are liaising with the police about the accident.

"We are aware of some residents' concerns about Woodmill Lane and we have already introduced measures in response to these concerns, which include putting up new illuminated school warning signs which are on backboards so that they are more prominent.

"These warn drivers of the danger of children crossing the road at this junction."