RESIDENTS are calling for action on a dangerous stretch of road after a boy had a lucky escape when he was hit by a car.

Residents and councillors are now calling for more traffic calming measures following the collision in East Weare Road on Portland.

A Dorset Police spokesman said the boy was walking with his mum when the accident happened.

The youngster was taken to Dorset County Hospital in Dorchester for treatment after the collision. He was not badly hurt and discharged.

Portland Town councillor Sandy West witnessed the aftermath of the incident as she was returning home from work.

She said: “I was coming along the road when the police and paramedic car and ambulance were there.

“I saw a young woman in her mid-20s being looked at in the back of the ambulance.

“Later on I saw the police marking out the road with chalk.

“I don’t know who the young lad was but I’m glad he’s all right.”

She added: “I was very nearly knocked down by a car on that stretch of road a year ago.

“So many cars park up along the road that sometimes you have no choice but to step off the kerb and into the road to get past them.

“My concern is that someone in a wheelchair or a mother pushing a pram may have to do that, especially during the winter.

“You take your life in your hands on that stretch of road really.”

Underhill ward councillor Paul Kimber said: “I have asked the council to look into traffic calming measures for that area in the past.

“I was assured at the time that the area was pretty safe but maybe it needs to be reviewed again.

“Other than that, I hope the lad is recovering all right.”

East Weare Road resident and father of two, James Rabin, said he fears for his children’s safety when they leave the house.

Mechanical engineer Mr Rabin, 26, said: “I’m always telling my kids not to play out in the street because of the way cars can come zooming up the street.

“I think there should be more double yellow lines or something like that to stop so many cars parking wherever they like.

“It’s a real skittle alley sometimes.”

Retired butcher Pat Cox, 72, who also lives in the road, said: “I’d like to see fewer cars down here.

“There’s no excuse for bad driving and I see cars weaving through the street to get past parked cars all the time.

“The council should really do something about this before there’s another accident.”

Police are appealing for witnesses to the accident which occurred shortly before 6pm last Thursday.