A CONCERNED dad is urging people to put pressure on Hampshire County Council to improve a “dangerous” road after his son was hit by a car in Four Marks.

David Lewis said that his 13-year-old son suffered a badly broken leg when he was struck by the vehicle on Boyneswood Road last Tuesday.

While Mr Lewis described the incident as “just an unfortunate set of circumstances”, instead of apportioning blame he said it was symptomatic of increased traffic on the road which has, in recent years, become “an absolute race track”.

He explained that his son, who spent two days in hospital, is now recovering, and extended heartfelt thanks to everyone who helped following the accident.

But with people parking along the road and more and more traffic passing through as a result of housing developments in the area, Mr Lewis fears it’s only a matter of time before there is a fatality.

“On a note regarding the safety of the road, we understand that Hampshire County Council will be reviewing the accident, which many residents have long feared as Boyneswood Road gets busier and the traffic gets faster,” said Mr Lewis.

“If anyone has also had an accident or near miss anywhere along Boyneswood Road, it may be worth them contacting their councillor to let them know so that these incidents could be collated and maybe action taken by the council to make the road safer.”

Ingrid Thomas, an East Hampshire district councillor for Four Marks and Medstead, said she was “greatly saddened” that a schoolboy had been injured and wished him a speedy recovery.

“Many people have reported near misses in Boyneswood Road, particularly at the bridge,” she added.

“It is well known locally that many of our local roads are a hazard to pedestrians, cyclists and horses riders. The increase in traffic in the last 10 years has been huge. Just because we have the A31 running through the middle of Four Marks does not mean that the junctions on and off it can cope with the increased volume, nor can the small, often single-track, roads and bridges.

“The nodule where this accident happened in Boyneswood Road has been regularly flattened since it was installed. We have many expertly designed road improvements but people need to be consulted because they often know better than a computer what actually happens in their area.”

With permission in place for controversial plans to build 80 new homes at Friars Oak Farm on Boyneswood Road, it is feared traffic issues are set to worsen.

“We absolutely must insist that the raised curb pedestrian pathway discussed by the planning committee at the Friars Oak decision meeting becomes a reality,” added Mrs Thomas.

“In my opinion, a separate pedestrian bridge is needed. It took a long time to get the pedestrian crossing installed at Telegraph Lane on the A31.

“It is agreed that another crossing will be installed between Lapwing Way and Goldcrest Way. We are still waiting for a start date on that so children from that school bus are still dodging the traffic daily.”

“The safety of our children and other vulnerable road users must be the major factor in any traffic scheme,” she warned.

Sean Woodward, Hampshire County Council’s executive member for economy, transport and environment, said: “I am of course sorry to hear about the 13-year-old boy who was hit by a car on Boyneswood Road, Four Marks, and wish him a speedy recovery. Our accident database, which goes back to January 1990, indicates that this is the first reported pedestrian-related injury accident to occur in Boyneswood Road.

“However, initial proposals for traffic calming and pedestrian improvements to the railway bridge are being developed as part of planning permission related to a new development in Boyneswood Road and there is potential for this scheme to be enhanced when other secured funding becomes available.”

Mr Lewis is a long-term resident of Boyneswood Close and has lived in Medstead his entire life.

“I used to walk and cycle Boyneswood Road regularly as a kid,” he added.

“Now, with the weight and speed of traffic, it’s blatantly obvious that it’s too dangerous to allow my kids to consider cycling along this road at all.”

A Hampshire Constabulary spokesman said police attended the incident and no arrests were made.