FEARS of traffic chaos at an already notorious bottleneck were the dominant reaction to Tesco's unveiling of plans to move into a Fareham.

Most shoppers were in favour of the plans to build a new food store on the derelict site by Quay Street roundabout.

However, they warned that their support would only be forthcoming if the supermarket chain pledged to ease the chronic congestion on the roundabout used by more than 50,000 drivers every day.

If the plans, which have already been welcomed by council chiefs, are given the go- ahead the new supermarket would bring at least 200 jobs to the area.

Residents praised the Tesco development for reducing long journeys to out-of-town stores, but nearly all were worried the traffic situation would only worsen if proper consideration was not given to the road layout.

After looking at the display in Fareham Shopping Centre, Elizabeth Leythorne, 65, from Cuckoo Lane, Stubbington, was in favour of the new superstore and believed that Tesco should just go for it.

She said: "At the moment the nearest store for me is Whiteley and I am just not prepared to go that far for my weekly shop. I say, go for it."

However Graham Freeborn, 47 from Fareham was much more cynical of the new development and would prefer the site to be used for a DIY store.

He said: "I think these plans are ludicrous. Why do we need another Tesco in the area, we already have them in Cosham, Whiteley and Bursledon. The traffic there is already a nightmare.

"They say it is bringing a food store to the town centre but it is not in the centre, people will still need a car to get there."

Tesco spokesman Melanie Chiswell said the company had promised to improve congestion by altering the layout of the roundabout.

She said: "We have had a lot of people coming up to discuss these plans. The response today has been pretty positive and most people are welcoming a Tesco store in the town centre.

"Nothing has been set in stone yet so hopefully our highway proposals will alleviate those worries and improve the current situation."

HOW IT COULD LOOK: An artist's impression of the proposed store.