SOUTHAMPTON'S roads are among England's most dangerous for children, with more serious accidents than almost anywhere else.

The figures have prompted city MPs to call for slower speed limits and speed cameras on roads around schools.

Figures from Public Health England and the Department for Transport show that 37 under-16s were killed or seriously injured in road traffic collisions in Southampton in the three years from the start of 2016 to the end of 2018.

At a rate of 27 incidents per 100,000 children, it is one of the highest figures in England, which had an average of 17.7 incidents.

The rate in Southampton had risen compared to 2015 to 2017, when it was at 25.9.

Across the country, 5,665 children were killed or seriously injured on the roads in 2016-18.

That is the highest level for five years, although it has fallen from 7,325 in 2008-10.

The Department for Transport warns some police forces have changed their definition of a serious injury, meaning national figures may not be comparable with previous years.

Royston Smith MP for Southampton Itchen has been campaigning for 20mph speed limits in residential areas where residents have asked for them for a number of years.

He said: "We have speed cameras on roads like Northam Bridge and Lances Hill but not a single camera outside any of our schools.”

β€œIt is a tragedy that this is still happening in Southampton when for years we have been campaigning for safer roads and lower speed limits.

"I hope that now the council will look seriously at proposals for 20 mph speed limits to protect more young lives and prevent more families from being bereaved."

Public Health England says parents cite the speed and volume of traffic as reasons they do not allow their children to walk or cycle, which it says is reducing opportunities for physical exercise.

A spokesperson from Southampton City Council said: "Southampton City Council reviews injury accident data provided by Hampshire Constabulary across the city as part of an annual road safety programme. Any trends or cluster sites in this data are identified and mitigation work undertaken.

"The City Council also reviews speed limits of roads with the Hampshire Constabulary as and when an issue is highlighted.

"[We] work with schools to promote active travel and provide the skills for confident and safe walking and cycling through the My Journey Sustainable Travel programme and Bikeability cycle training.

"The My Journey programme has engaged with over 45 schools in the last 12 months.

"The City Council has also implemented one road closure outside a school during pick and a drop off times and are currently trialling a second as well as using camera enforcement technology to enforce parking restrictions around City schools to aid safety.

"This work is continually reviewed and ongoing to improve road safety across the city."