WORK was due to begin today on improvements on the A32 between Fareham and Gosport to cut the number of road accidents.

Contractors are laying a £200,000 anti-skid surface after a three-year study found the route had an accident rate ten per cent higher than the national average.

The study found a high number of tail-end shunts on the road and tests carried out revealed that some sections of the road have a relatively low skid resistance.

The section of road between Mill Lane and Brockhurst roundabout, Gosport, will have its surface improved and new road markings introduced.

Surface improvements will also take place in several smaller sections between Fareham Reach and Rowner Road roundabout.

Anti-skid surfacing will be applied where there have been clusters of accidents and the approaches to all controlled pedestrian crossings will have a buff-coloured anti-skid surfacing laid.

Cycle lanes will also be refurbished. The road layout near Lidl is to be altered to allow safer crossing and a right turn lane into the store.

The existing road markings will be adjusted to enhance pedestrian safety.

At Spring Garden Lane, widening and cycle route improvements will take place. Officers looked at whether there were any accident patterns, and if improvements would help prevent further problems.

Work is expected to be completed by the end of July.

The impact measures have on the number of injury accidents along the route will be monitored.

The announcement comes just days after the Daily Echo revealed county highways chiefs had introduced safety measures to another stretch of the A32 at Mislingford, near Wickham following the death of teenage motorist Vicky Waters.

Hampshire County Council environment chief Councillor Keith Estlin said: "The accident study focused on the A32 between Newgate Lane and the ferry gardens, and our safety engineering team has been looking very closely at the findings.

"It was agreed that a variety of surface treatments would be the most effective way to reduce the number of accidents on this busy road, coupled with some minor layout adjustments.

"As is always the case, engineering measures taken in isolation will not render a road safe.

"It needs all users to drive, ride or cycle in an appropriate way taking into consideration the road conditions.

"Pedestrians also need to make sure they don't take unnecessary risks when crossing.

"It is an extremely busy route, and in order to minimise disruption to drivers the work will only be carried out overnight and on Sundays."