Following a ‘horrific’ crash, residents on Bitterne Road West have started a petition to have average speed cameras installed.
The three-car crash on Thursday, which demolished a front garden wall, has pushed the neighborhood to “breaking point”.
The person who started the petition wrote on change.org: “We need immediate action, whether it’s placing average speed cameras and more 30mph signs.
“My family, neighbors, and I are frequently harassed by speeding drivers as we attempt to safely exit our driveways, transport children to school, or even cross the street.
“Last Thursday’s horrible catastrophe has brought our community to a breaking point. “We cannot wait for a fatal accident to occur before taking action.”
The petition page, which has received approximately 232 signatures, lists six road accident incidents as instances of why reform is needed, three of which occurred in 2024. The other three collisions listed occurred on roads with speed limits of 30 mph between 2017 and 2022.
There is already a speed camera at the traffic signals where the road divides onto Maybray King Way, but neighbors say it is not effective since drivers can slow down as they approach the slope.
A 27-year-old Bitterne Road West resident, who preferred to remain anonymous, stated: “I don’t believe average speed cameras are the only solution, but something must be done.
“I don’t want to keep living in fear that something might come through my window every time I hear a lorry drive past.”
READ MORE: Bitterne Road West is closed due to a car flip.
The primary petitioner went on to say, “This road and this area are home to schools, families, and the elderly, and it’s only a matter of time before tragedy strikes.”
“Some may say, ‘Just relocate,’ but not everyone has that option. Factors such as life circumstances and affordability frequently influence where we reside.
“To claim that we’re ‘asking for it’ because of where we live is not only disrespectful, but also profoundly uninformed. This is a 30-mph zone, and cars must follow it.”
The petition page names Southampton City Council, the UK Road Safety Observatory, and the UK Department for Transport as decision-makers who could affect change in the community.
Bitterne Park councillor Amanda Barnes-Andrew has stated that, while there is already a speed camera on the route, she has requested additional traffic calming measures to be explored.
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