RESIDENTS have hit out at “thoughtless” drivers who use the wrong exit when leaving a supermarket.

Motorists and shoppers of Lidl, in Worting Road, have been criticised by South Ham locals John Murrells and Jason Oram for their “reckless” attitude when they exit the supermarket via the wrong exit.

At present, the shop employs a one-way system in and out of it.

However, Mr Murrells and Mr Oram feel that motorists are not using the correct entrance and exit in a bid to avoid queuing up.

During peak times, the pair believe shoppers have to wait “up to 15 minutes to exit” on to the busy Worting Road, which forces them to leave through the one-way entrance on to West Ham Close.

And for Mr Oram, it’s only a matter of time until the situation becomes fatal.

He said: “When the application to build this Lidl was introduced, residents and councillors raised concerns about traffic flow and safety.

“The amount of cars coming out of the entrance on to West Ham Close and potentially causing accidents is growing and it’s getting dangerous.

“It’s getting to the point where the only way this will stop is if somebody dies or a car gets smashed to pieces.”

Mr Murrells added: “Something has got to be done to stop these idiots coming out of the wrong entrance.”

Local councillor, Cllr Dan Putty supports the pair’s claims and believes something needs to be done in order to stop a potentially dangerous situation arising.

He believes that the problems began when Hampshire County Council turned Worting Road from a two-lane road into a oneland road.

Cllr Putty said: “I don’t know who at the county council thought that it would be a good idea to change this.

“The residents here are having problems joining the roads and motorists are fed up of waiting in queues to leave a supermarket.”

He added: “There are problems between the motorists and the residents and because of people exiting along the wrong part, an atmosphere of fear has been created between the two.

“It’s creating a misery for eveLidl customers are leavingcarpark through entrance everyone who lives here.”

A spokesperson for Lidl said: “Following customer feedback we can confirm that further signage was fitted by the entrance to help encourage drivers to use the correct exit.

“This includes both a raised ‘NO EXIT’ sign as well as ‘NO EXIT’ road markings.

“We hope this will prevent further misuse of the entrance.”