MOTORING misery could be a thing of the past for commuters in a Hampshire town thanks to congestion busting plans.

More than £2.5m is set to be spent on improving traffic conditions at a notorious bottleneck.

The Segensworth roundabout, near junction nine of the M27 at Whiteley, is in line for major improvements.

Every day about 60,000 vehicles pass through the nightmare junction and at peak times there are huge tailbacks on the westbound slip road.

Highways chiefs have come up with plans which would slash about six minutes on each journey.

The proposals include an extra lane on the A27 Southampton Road between the M27 and the roundabout.

A filter lane on this road will also take business park traffic straight onto Barnes Wallis Road.

Fareham planning chiefs have welcomed the plans by Hampshire County Council and say it will make a huge improvement to the area.

Because it is such a massive scheme it will take a long time to carry out the work. But council chiefs believe this is a price worth paying if it will ease the misery for thousands of motorists.

Meanwhile Segensworth Business Forum, representing companies on the business park near the roundabout, is also backing the proposals.

Public exhibitions are planned for Park Gate, Segensworth and Whiteley in July.

A website has also been set up to keep residents and businesses in the picture on any changes during the construction.

The scheme is expected to be approved by the county council tomorrow. If it is given the green light work should start in August and end between next January and February.