A CYCLIST suffered spinal injuries in the latest crash near a Muscliff school yesterday morning.

As reported by the Daily Echo last month, residents calling for controversial traffic calming measures in the Shillingstone Drive area to be removed sparked a review as soon as they were installed in April.

A mini roundabout was placed at Muscliffe Lane, and a 20mph zone was established around nearby Epiphany C of E Primary School.

The measures have now been blamed by residents for a crash between a cyclist and a car outside the school at 7am.

Independent councillors for the area, Ron Whittaker and Anne Rey, have said they support the need to slow down traffic around the school, but believe the roundabout is a step too far.

Cllr Rey said: “Parents at the school called for these measures to be put in place, and we have done our best to provide what residents are calling for.

“We are obviously very sorry indeed to hear about this latest accident, and our thoughts are with the cyclist and his family and friends.”

A local resident, who asked not to be named, said: “Prior to the traffic calming improvements there were very few, if any, serious accidents in this area over the last 10 or so years. “Since the improvements two months ago we have had two within a 100-foot stretch of road requiring the attendance of the emergency services.”

In April, 22-year-old Nina Arnone escaped serious injury when her car overturned while negotiating the roundabout.

Cllr Rey said: “It’s very concerning to think that there has suddenly been two serious accidents after all this time.”

Bournemouth Borough Council is currently carrying out a consultation with Muscliffe Lane residents including proposals to amend the traffic-calming features in their road.