A PLAN to turn a narrow grass verge into a car park only inches from speeding traffic at a busy New Forest road junction has sparked outrage in Godshill.

The proposal comes from the village hall committee, which is anxious to find somewhere for those using the hall to park their cars.

At the moment, apart from a couple of spaces near its entrance, there are no parking facilities at the hall and those attending events simply run their cars on to a verge, manoeuvring on and off the unofficial car park at a busy junction.

Opponents of the scheme say work to improve facilities is likely to worsen the situation, by attracting even more people to the venue where motorists have nowhere to go.

Hall committee members want to remove a bus shelter, a post box, a bench, a telephone kiosk and a village noticeboard outside a neighbouring property to make way for the car park.

At a meeting of Godshill parish council, chairman Peter Stammers, who also heads the village hall committee, said the committee had been trying to solve the parking problem for a long time.

He confirmed that a parking plan for the verge, already being used and during the parish meeting crowded with councillors' cars, was being actively considered.

But villagers living near the junction alongside the Fighting Cocks public house are firmly opposed to any verge parking and said they feared an accident waiting to happen, if the work was allowed to go ahead.

"We think it far too dangerous a spot for a car park," said Ross Barrell. "To use any car park there, motorists would have to reverse directly from or back on to the road, joining fast-moving traffic. That seems a recipe for disaster."

Another opponent, Ian Lemon, said he was concerned about where his children, and others waiting to catch the school bus, would wait.

"I am not at all happy, either, about them having to dodge among parked cars at such a dangerous spot," he said.

"There is also the environmental aspect of what is the centre of the village to consider," said Lionel Grall. "It would be horribly unsightly."

Nigel Parkes, whose home is bordered by the disputed verge, said: "Hampshire county council highways department is currently looking into the whole situation.

"The Forestry Commission, which owns or controls the verge, is also concerned and is investigating."