A FRUSTRATED Southampton resident has called for action over the motorists who continue to drive the wrong way down her road – more than a decade after it became one-way.

Anita Graham, who has lived on John’s Road in Woolston for 37 years, says her son has nearly been hit in the past by a car ignoring the road signs.

She posted letters to fellow residents to see if her feelings were shared.

The 52-year-old said: “The road has been one way for over ten years and used to have an island with a no entry sign.

“So far I have received over 47 signed letters from John’s Road and neighbouring roads Inkerman and Florence and some residents have even written letters back.

“The council wanted letters or a petition to be signed before they would conduct an investigation and now we have both.

“We are all unhappy with the situation and someone could be seriously hurt or killed.”

Council chiefs say the closure of nearby Victoria Road for repairs to gas mains has contributed to the problem.

The MP for Southampton Test, Royston Smith, said: “There may well have been an uplift in people using this route to circumvent the closure of Victoria Road and potentially when this reopens the issues might be reduced.”

Councillor Jacqui Rayment, the council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for place and transport, said: “We understand that these issues have been exacerbated by the current closure of Victoria Road, which is in place while SGN undertakes major works to replace gas mains along the high street.”

Cllr Rayment also suggested that additional signage will be placed at the street’s junction with Portsmouth Road to alert drivers that John’s Road is not a through route.

Residents have also been concerned for their children’s safety after the increase in traffic.

Michelle, 45, a business support officer for Southampton City Council, said: “Two or three-years-ago, my son almost got hit by a car.

“I said to the driver ‘Why didn’t you take notice of the no-entry signs? You almost hit my son.’

“I was met with abuse and no apology.”

Cllr Warwick Payne, who represents Woolston, said: “My message to motorists who ignore the diversions and break the law is that you’re endangering our community and yourselves – don’t do it.”

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