Lorry tips over on Totton’s Rushington roundabout just a month after safety improvements are made
A COUNCILLOR was shocked to see a lorry tip over at a notorious Totton roundabout – only a month after safety work to stop such incidents at the site.
Barriers were crushed when the high-sided vehicle, carrying green waste, landed on the central reservation on the south side of the Rushington Roundabout, off the A326 Marchwood bypass.
Pulled out of the cab by members of the public, the driver suffered minor injuries, according to police.
The incident, shortly before 11am on Sunday, came about a month after work was completed to improve safety on its northern side.
Town, district and county councillor David Harrison had lobbied Hampshire County Council for about 10 years, during which time five lorries had overturned.
But this is the first time it had happened on the south side, he believed.
He told the A&T: “I’m slightly perplexed that after all the effort that went into making the roundabout safer on the north side we now have this happening on the south side.”
Cllr Harrison saw the lorry overturn as he travelled home from Marchwood in the opposite direction.
“It’s that feeling when your life suddenly flashes before your eyes,” he recalled.
“It seemed to happen in slow motion. It was quite a shock.
“Fortunately, it had a canvas cover over the load, otherwise mine and other vehicles would have been covered in this waste.
“It landed on the central reservation and crushed the barriers.”
By the time the councillor had parked up and rushed to the scene, several other passers-by had stopped and were going to the driver’s aid.
He said the casualty appeared shaken but unhurt, adding: “It’s wonderful, really, the way people react to these things.
“You worry about fire or an explosion, but people are naturally brave in these situations.
“I’m just relieved, really, as it could have had much more serious consequences.”
Another member of the public helped direct traffic past the scene before police arrived and took over.
Fire crews from Redbridge, St Mary’s and Eastleigh also attended.
The lorry was recovered by crane and the route fully cleared about three hours later.
As reported by the A&T in September 2022, HCC’s highways department launched a study of the roundabout amid fears of a fatality or serious injury.
Cllr Harrison had highlighted the adjacent footpath which is widely used, particularly by pupils of nearby Hounsdown School.
This footpath has now been raised and moved away from the roundabout. Other work included kerb heightening, and resurfacing to reduce the camber.
Welcoming the revamp, Cllr Harrison said: “I think it will make a difference should a lorry tip over [on the north side] again.
“But I was a bit surprised that we’ve now had an incident so soon on the other side.
“I’ve spoken to a highways manager at Hampshire County Council and he doesn’t think there’s anything that needs urgent action, but they always look at significant incidents.
“The problem with incidents such as this latest one is that there could be so many potential causes.”
A Hampshire police spokesperson said enquiries into yesterday’s incident remained ongoing, and no arrests had been made.