COUNCILLORS are calling on a major supermarket to “start taking seriously” the problem of motorists leaving a carpark via the wrong entrances and exits.

Ward councillors from South Ham are frustrated that Lidl, which has a branch in Worting Road, are not acting appropriately despite numerous complaints that shoppers are exiting the supermarket through the wrong entrances.

At present, some motorists leave the supermarket via the one-way entrance on to West Ham Close in order to avoid traffic that builds up in the exit on to Worting Road and West Ham roundabout.

The issue was highlighted by South Ham locals John Murrells and Jason Oram who criticised the drivers for having a “reckless” attitude - claims backed by borough councillor Dan Putty - who is ward councillor for Hatch Warren and Beggarwood and initially highlighted the story to The Gazette.

And now, the councillors are urging Lidl to employ one-way control flaps to ensure drivers no longer head out the car park the wrong way.

Cllr Gary Watts, ward councillor for South Ham, said: “This Lidl doesn’t seem to be taking this issue seriously enough so I have tried to contact the CEO who has now forwarded the problem on.

“We have requested that these flaps are employed to stop drivers leaving the wrong way, but all they came back to me and said was that this might damage somebody’ s car.

“If a driver damages his car by leaving the wrong way surely it’s his own fault? But this is the litigation society we live in. It sounds like a cop out if you ask me.”

In a series of emails sent by Lidl to Cllr Watts and Mr Oram and seen by The Gazette, a spokesperson for the supermarket said that flaps couldn’t be used “as the risk of liability for damage to cars or injury to persons is too great.”

It added: “We have identified that a no entry sign that was erected previously when the issue was raised was removed when the store and car park was extended and not replaced. This will be replaced next week.”

The Gazette told last week that Hampshire County Council had planned to open up two lanes on West Ham roundabout and on Worting Road in a bid to ease congestion on the road.

A spokesman for Lidl said: “We can confirm that a new ‘no exit’ sign will be re-fitted in a prominent position in the car park this week and we hope that this will alleviate the issue. We will continue to monitor the situation closely.”