Winchester MP Steve Brine has said an urgent review of part of the city centre market is needed after a serious accident on Friday afternoon.
A young boy was hit by a bus on the lower end of the High Street just after 2pm next to the market stalls outside the Debenhams department store.
Onlookers said the boy was conscious and communicating with paramedics at the scene before being taken by the Hampshire and IOW Air Ambulance, which had landed in the Cathedral Grounds, to Southampton General Hospital. Although serious his injuries are not said to be life-threatening.
The MP was in the city centre at the time of the accident and said it realised one of his worst fears as a parent and a local representative; "I've been concerned for years about the safety of buses coming right into the pedestrian area in Winchester, and while I realise this will stop when Silver Hill is eventually completed, we are not there yet and I think the introduction of the market on this particular stretch has made it more dangerous.
"As a parent of two young ones myself, I know exactly how hard it is when town is busy to keep them safe. My thoughts are with the family and I just hope and pray the little boy is ok and able to make a full recovery. I think the council has to look urgently at safety in this part of town and that may well mean and end to the market on this most narrow section."
Mr Brine said he had written to the Chief Inspector of Police, the Managing Director of Stagecoach and the leader of the city and county councils to ensure this happens. He has received backing for an urgent review of safety already from the Police, Stagecoach and the Winchester Business Improvement District (BiD).
UPDATE
On Tuesday 29th January, Winchester City Council issued the following press release:
Market changes following accident on Winchester High Street
Winchester City Council was sorry to hear of the incident in the High Street last Friday and our thoughts remain with those involved.
We are meeting the police on Thursday 31 January to hear their preliminary views on the circumstances surrounding the accident.
In the mean time we have decided to suspend the market on Thursday 31 January and Friday 1 February in the lower part of the High Street until we are clear about the circumstances of the accident. This will affect about eight or ten stalls.
After meeting the police we will decide on the best approach for the market on Saturday 2 February and Sunday 3 February.
We are taking this very seriously and looking again at all the safety aspects.
If there are longer-term issues that fall within the work or responsibilities of the City Council we will look at them carefully and quickly and take any actions that may be necessary.
ENDS...
Pictured; the scene of the accident (courtesy of the Hampshire Chronicle)