Heavy traffic in Whiteparish. 27/1/5CONCERNED villagers say it is only a matter of time before a pedestrian is knocked down in Whiteparish, as increased traffic thunders along the narrow roads.

Commuters face weeks of traffic misery while the A36 remains closed between West Wellow and the Ower roundabout, for resurfacing and traffic-calming work.

All vehicles heading east out of Salisbury are redirected along the A27 and A3090, to join up with the M27.

Pedestrians are particularly vulnerable during rush hour, as large trucks are forced to mount pavements through the village of Whiteparish to avoid collisions.

Highways chiefs say the roadworks will be completed by February 25 and, until then, motorists will have to endure longer journeys to work.

Salisbury MP Robert Key was warned of the diversion a week before work began and has condemned the route as "quite inappropriate".

He said: "Whiteparish is a jewel of a village but it is more than just a pretty place.

"It is a living, working community, and the quality of life for local residents will be blighted as long as A-road traffic is allowed to rumble through the heart of the village, on a road that is quite inappropriate to the needs of the 21st Century.

"The road from Salisbury to Romsey is important not only for local and regional travel but is a vital pressure valve when the A36 is closed - so the county councils of Wiltshire and Hampshire are extremely unlikely to impose a weight limit."

He added: "The only long-term answer is a village bypass, but the traffic levels and the conditions sadly come nowhere close to current criteria."

Employees at Whiteparish-based firm Lascar Electronics are already feeling the effects of extra traffic.

Ben Savage (27), senior sales engineer, said: "Traffic during lunchtimes is particularly bad and there has been a huge increase in vehicles.

"I don't think Whiteparish is able to cope, and I think there are enough problems with this road, anyway, without having the whole of the A36 coming down it.

"Apart from that, we have lorries coming past, it is very noisy and it isn't good for the environment."

A Highways Agency spokesperson said the A27 was an appropriate diversion route and the decision to use it had followed widespread consultation.

She said: "Hampshire and Wiltshire county councils and the police were consulted on this, and the A36 has to be closed for resurfacing and improvements. The A27 is an A-road and meant to carry traffic, although obviously there will be an increase in vehicles using this road. There are weight restrictions on minor roads nearby and consultation took place beforehand."