TRAFFIC chiefs are promising motorists they will see huge changes by the end of this week at the junction of the M27 and M271, where controversial traffic lights were installed.

Bosses at the Highways Agency have confirmed a new "intelligent" operating system, due to take over the control of the lights at junction three of the M27, has now been switched on and should come into effect in the next few days.

The system will allow the lights to self-adjust their phasing times, which should mean longer green-light times where traffic is heaviest - currently the westbound turn-off at junction three on the M27.

Motorists using the junction have been calling for changes to the lights since they were installed in March.

At the time, Highways Agency officials said the lights were put in place following a detailed survey at the junction, which had suggested that putting in the lights would make traffic flow smoother from all directions.

Since their introduction, however, thousands of motorists have contacted the Daily Echo to complain about lengthening queues on the motorway.