A SOUTHAMPTON mum has urged action over a flooded underpass - which has left her facing a half mile walk to the nearest crossing.

The underpass that takes people under A33 Redbridge Road has been water logged for five weeks, stopping walkers and cyclists from using it.

The underpass available at the top of Redbridge Road has been closed off due to maintenance work leaving the only safe crossing half a mile away at Millbrook Roundabout traffic lights.

Mother-of-two, Andrea Henning, uses the underpass when walker her youngest daughter to school.

The 38-year-old said: "The underpass has been closed for five weeks.

"I have tried to contact the council about it but I was told it is the responsibility of Southern Water.

"I see children crossing over the top of the road and it worries me."

The underpass was first reported flooded at the beginning of August when it was closes off with gates and a sign.

The water has since gotten deeper and has begin to fill with rubbish and leaves, leaving a sludge at the bottom of the walkway.

Andrea's youngest daughter, Catlin, is a pupil at Redbridge Primary School.

Avoiding crossing the busy road, the family are forced to walk an extra one mile to get to school.

Andrea added: "When we press the button at the lights, it holds up traffic.

"When its busy and lots of people are using that crossing the traffic builds up really badly.

"If we had the underpasses to use we wouldn't have to keep pressing the button at the lights.

"It will only get worse when the roadworks are being carried out down here."

The worry follows the announcement of £8.3 million of improvements, including a new road surface, updated traffic signals, and a dedicated two-way cycle route on Millbrook Roundabout on October 1.

As a result of the works, the roundabout will be partially closed in four different phases, each lasting for six to eight weeks each, until next April next year.

Southampton City Council had not responsed Daily Echo's request for comment.