WORTING Road is set for a major makeover in a bid to ease congestion on West Ham roundabout and encourage motorists to use the correct exit when leaving Lidl supermarket.

Last month The Gazette reported that residents had hit out at “thoughtless” drivers who used the wrong exit when leaving Lidl, in Worting Road.

South Ham locals John Murrells and Jason Oram believed motorists and shoppers of Lidl elected to ignore the exit signs and leave through the shop’s oneway entrance on to West Ham Close, because they would have to wait “up to 15 minutes to exit” on to the busy Worting Road.

But now Hampshire County Council (HCC) has vowed to provide a two-lane entry on to Worting Road (South), install new road markings at Lidl’s entry and exit and retain the existing cycle lane to help ensure traffic moves more freely onto the road.

Executive member for environment and transport at HCC, Cllr Rob Humby said: “We are aware that some drivers are ignoring the signs and road markings within the Lidl site and are incorrectly using the exit lane of the Lidl store to bypass traffic queues on the approach to the West Ham roundabout.”

Mr Humby added: “We consulted last Autumn with residents and Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council who supported the plan. The scheme is currently in the detailed design stage and programmed for delivery during the 2017/18 financial year.

“In the meantime, I would ask all drivers to use the road safely at all times. “And to obey traffic signs, including at the entrances and exits to adjacent car parks, to be mindful of others using the road and remind residents that any dangerous driving should be reported to the police.”

Local councillor Dan Putty backed Mr Murrells and Jason Oram’s concerns, thanking The Gazette for highlighting the issue with HCC. Cllr Putty said: “I am delighted at this news and ecstatic to see HCC are doing something about this.

“Sometimes HCC do listen and this is good example of what highlighting issues can do.

“Thank you to The Gazette for last month’s article.”