LORRIES are to be banned from using a New Forest village centre as a shortcut.

An exclusion zone is being created to stop lorries shortening their journey to Marchwood's residential industrial estates and military port by using residential roads..

However, commercial vehicles needing access to residential areas or to make deliveries will still be allowed into the village.

The scheme, which will cost up to £5,000, will allow just two routes into the various commercial, light industrial areas and military port next to Marchwood's residential areas.

The first will be to the north from the A326 via Jacobs Gutter Lane, Bury Road and Normandy Way.

The second will be to the south from Hythe and via the A326 along Hythe Road, Main Road, Oaklands Drive and Normandy Way.

A Hampshire County Council spokesman said: "The zone was devised in response to concerns from Marchwood Parish Council and local residents.

"The zone is intended to stop HGVs using residential roads in Marchwood as a short cut. It is not intended to resolve any congestion issues."

It is expected that the zone will be implemented early in the next financial year and will be marked out with warning signs.

Police will enforce the zone in the same way that they would for any area which bans 7.5 tonne vehicles except for loading - by handing out a £30 fixed penalty ticket.

Marchwood councillor Alison Hoare said: "It's been a long time coming and it is very good news for the village. The problem has been caused by the sheer volume of HGVs coming through the village with the growing industrial estate."

Marchwood resident Judy Saxby, 60, welcomed plans to outlaw trucks from 40 roads including Pooksgreen, where she lives. She said: "I think it's a good idea to keep them off the smaller, residential roads. There are many more pedestrians now and many more cars and the roads are just not suitable for the larger lorries."

Chris Cole, 32, a doctor, of Park Lane, said: "There are no footpaths on the road where we live and we have young children so I think it's a good idea. I am not keen to see lorries running up and down and a lot of elderly people live around here as well so they are at risk."

Existing restrictions on Staplewood Lane, which ban vehicles weighing more than 7.5 tonnes from entering the village except for loading, is to be incorporated into the new zone.