MAJOR changes have been made to traffic lights at a busy Portchester junction following the death of a keen motorcyclist.

The family of 45-year-old Steve Gibbs are considering taking further action against highways chiefs they believe could have prevented the death crash.

Married Mr Gibbs, of White Hart Lane, Portchester, was driving his Yamaha home on the A27 Portchester Road when he was in collision with a Vauxhall Corsa turning right into Downend Road.

At the time of the accident drivers were able to turn right during a gap in the oncoming traffic.

Since the accident, they must wait for their own green signal to move forward. The lights always met government safety guidelines, but highways chiefs admit a re-think in response to the fatal accident in November.

The victim's brother Eddie Gibbs said: "I find it ridiculous that you can almost be upon traffic going the other way before you can turn. It was unsafe. In fact it was crazy."

Mr Gibbs died as a result of severe head injuries caused when his helmet flew off and he was launched across the bonnet of the car.

Recording a verdict of accidental death, coroner David Horsley added: "The lights did seem to be unsatisfactory and had the new measures been in operation at the time, the collision would not have happened.

"Sadly it's taken Steve's death to change this. Very, very sad as it is, some good has come out of it."

Speaking after the verdict, Mr Gibbs' brother said: "We'd like to thank everybody that was there for helping and we're glad that the lights have been changed. That was a major part of the problem."

Hampshire County Council spokesman, Sarette Martin, added: "Fatal accidents are always thoroughly investigated and if something can be done to prevent a similar accident we will act. This sort of junction wouldn't normally justify these measures, but we decided in this case it would be prudent."