PLANS are afoot to solve the traffic chaos expected by the continuing success of business parks at Segensworth.

Cosmetics giant Estee Lauder is the latest in a long line of household names making their home off junction nine of the M27.

Their new multi-million-pound headquarters, housing up to 300 workers, will add to already serious congestion problems as companies continue to move to this commercial hot spot of south Hampshire.

However, highways chiefs, who have already made a series of road improvements at the junction, are moving into stage two of a scheme to cut peak congestion problems on the Whiteley roundabout.

Borough council leader Sean Woodward, who represents the Whiteley ward, said: "It will worsen things, but plans are afoot to do things about the traffic problems. Phase two of the scheme for the Solent Business Park will hugely increase the capacity of the junction and roundabout there. There will be significant improvements in Segensworth."

A project costing more than £1m will see the closure of one of the exits on the Whiteley roundabout, as well as the widening of lanes and measures to increase traffic flow, particularly at peak times.

Estee Lauder's move is expected to bring up to 300 jobs to south Hampshire.