RESIDENTS are set to turn out in force today to vent their frustration over plans that could see a big increase in traffic on what they say is a hazardous Hampshire road.

Council chiefs will decide whether to allow an application to change the use of land at Peghams Copse Industrial Estate in Fontley Road in Fareham from a scrap yard to a waste transfer station.

Winchester City Council has already allowed applicant T Adams Waste to operate a skip hire business from the site, which it has done since January.

Hippo Waste currently operates a waste collection and transfer business from the site which triggers up to 200 vehicle movements each day along the one-mile stretch at the bottom of Titchfield Hill..

However, if the plans for the waste transfer station are also approved, the already busy road will have to bear up to 80 more lorries a day.

Resident Terry Jenkins, 70, of Springles Lane, off Fontley Road, said: "This is an absolute nightmare. Already people are scared to walk or cycle down the road and even pull out into Fontley Road.

"There is not enough room for two lorries to pass side by side and there are no footpaths. It's so dangerous. You wouldn't let young children anywhere near that road."

He added: "I understand that they need places to recycle but they've got to think about where they site them. This road cannot take any more traffic. Its as simple as that."

A recommendation to approve the plans has been laid out in a report by the chief planning officer.

However, Winchester MP Mark Oaten said he was totally opposed to the application.

He added:"It will make an already very dangerous road even worse. It's not appropriate to have that amount of traffic and noise in that area."

Hampshire County Council declined to comment until after the meeting today.