A BATTLE to have a narrow Ringwood town centre road closed to traffic has finally been won.

Peter Smith, who tirelessly campaigned to have the road shut off, says the mix of traffic and children in The Quomp was an accident waiting to happen.

The Quomp is a narrow road used by pedestrians, especially parents and children as they make their way between Ringwood Infant and Junior schools.

Hampshire County Council is trying an experimental closure of The Quomp with barriers midway along its length between the College Road and Woodstock Road junctions.

In July, the barriers will be moved to the southern end of the road at its junction with Hightown Road as a second stage to the experiment. Mr Smith, who has campaigned for years for closure, said the road was used by cars and lorries, and the 20mph speed restriction was often ignored.

He said: "The road wasn't designed for that. It was a gravel track. It was only a matter of time before someone was seriously hurt. I think it's wonderful it's closing, and I think other people will feel the same with time."

He hopes the experiment is a success and that a permanent barrier is put in place. "The only logical solution is to block it off. It was never designed for the mass of traffic that used to come down here. The benefits for everybody far outweigh the inconvenience of driving around Christchurch Road and Castleman Way."

The closure was brought about by The Quomp being included in the Ringwood walking and cycling strategy, designed to promote safe routes and improve fitness.

County councillor John Waddington said the closure would affect traffic flows around the town but he hoped problems would be eased by early May with the re-introduction of two lanes of traffic on to the town centre roundabout from Southampton Road.

"This should improve traffic circulation, especially at peak times," he said.