Winchester council chiefs have approved traffic-flow changes for a city centre street.

Cabinet members agreed on Wednesday to reverse the flow in Parchment Street stopping its use as a rat-run from North Walls to St George's Street by an estimated 3,000 drivers a day.

To stop Middle Brook Street becoming a new short cut, it is to be closed to traffic from North Walls.

The city council originally proposed to reverse the flow in Parchment Street only but delayed the decision after residents of Middle Brook Street raised fears about the impact there.

They wanted their street completely closed off but the county council and the police objected on safety grounds. Instead, the alterations will see two-way traffic re-installed on the road up to Cossack Lane and the current cycle path removed.

Professional drivers have complained about the restrictions. Drivers wanting to enter Middle Brook Street will have to turn left into Park Avenue, then do a three-point turn before crossing back to Middle Brook Street.

Delivery driver, Roger Bevan, of Fairdown, Winchester, said: "If that isn't ludicrous, I don't know what is.

"The people living in Parchment Street moved in with traffic outside. They should live with the fact."

Changes are afoot for St Peter Street, which will inherit Middle Brook Street's contraflow cycle lane, though Upper Brook Street will remain unchanged.

Parchment Street resident, Amy Wright (28), said: "If the plans cut the number of cars polluting the street and making so much noise then it's got to be a good thing.

"Residents of this street have wanted this change for a long time now and we are pleased it looks like happening, but I'm also happy that people on Middle Brook Street will not suffer as a result."

The proposals will initially run for a maximum of 18 months to gauge how traffic levels and air pollution are faring.

But a decision on making it permanent is likely within a year. Traffic and pedestrian counts will be carried out regularly to assess the impact.