TRANSPORT chiefs are to launch a probe into the crash that claimed the life of a Hampshire man whose car crashed off a bridge and plunged down an embankment towards a railway line.

County council bosses have pledged to act on any recommendations from the review of the accident that led to the death of Chris James Whyton.

He died when his silver Skoda crashed through the wall of a bridge in Allington Lane, between West End and Fair Oak, last week.

One councillor described it as “an accident waiting to happen”.

Cllr Bruce Tennent, who represents West End on Eastleigh Borough Council and Hampshire County Council, is stepping up efforts to get a bridge widened and prevent further accidents after revealing he has been urging Hampshire chiefs to take action over the bridge for “a few years”.

His calls for action have been backed by Eastleigh MP Mims Davies.

The bridge belongs to Network Rail and Cllr Tennent is in talks with Hampshire County Council’s environment and transport department to funding can be invested to widen and reinforce the bridge.

He said: “I’ve had residents contacting me with concerns for a few years now but because it’s not owned by us there hasn’t been much we can do, I’ve experience myself how dangerous the bridge can be and have wanted more measures put in place to prevent accidents.

“Previously when there was less traffic in the area there wasn’t an issue but I have had people reporting to me over a period of time that the volumes of traffic are increasing and it’s very hazardous on that bridge.”

Cllr Tennent is also concerned about extra traffic in the area as Southern Water is set to start a year of roadworks on the A27 next month which will mean more traffic is directed along Allington Lane.

He added: “It really needs widening. I understand that it would cost a lot of money to do but our county as a whole hasn’t been very good at investing money in transport infrastructure and that needs to change.

“This was a very sad case and it’s awful that it could take someone dying for change to happen. Many residents have said it was a case of an accident waiting to happen on this road because there is not enough room and the fact the bridge wall did not withstand a car crashing into it suggests it was not strong enough either.

“Of course a low cost solution would be to at least put traffic lights in place but I feel this is a bigger issue and the bridge needs replacing.”

Cllr Rob Humby, the county council's environment and transport supremo, said: “I was very sad to hear of this accident, and my thoughts are with the young man’s family at this time.

“This collision will be investigated by the Hampshire Casualty Reduction Partnership which includes Hampshire County Council, Eastleigh Borough Council and the police, and also the Rail Accident Investigation Branch. We will act on any recommendations which come out of these reviews and I don’t think it would useful to speculate about potential works until we have those reports.”

A Network Rail spokesman confirmed that it owns the bridge but does not have the power to install traffic lights as that would be down to the county council.

He said that Network Rail is funded in five-year periods with the current period running between 2014-2019 and there are no plans in that budget to widen the bridge.

He added: “We are supportive of the highways authority introducing measures that improve the safety of drivers, and ultimately the safety of rail passengers as well.”

Mims Davies, MP for Eastleigh, said: “This is a tragic accident where the cause is being investigated and my sympathies are very much with Mr Whyton’s family.

“I have written to Hampshire County Council and I will be speaking to Network Rail to ask them both to look at the bridge and its approaches to investigate if there is anything that can be done to make it safer.”

Mr Whyton, 32, from Lordswood, Southampton, was described by his family as “loving and caring”.

Police are still appealing for witnesses after the crash on Thursday, June 9, at 12.35pm and investigations into the exact cause of the collision are ongoing under the name Operation Costner.

Anyone who may have witnessed this incident or saw the car prior to the collision is asked to call police on 101, quoting 44160215370, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.