A CRUMBLING Waterside road is to be rebuilt at a cost of £1.1m to help it cope with a major increase in lorry traffic.

Plans to repair Jacob's Gutter Lane are expected to be approved by Hampshire County Council today following applications to redevelop part of Marchwood Industrial Park.

A massive incinerator is due to be built on the site and plans have also been put forward for a gas-fired power station.

As reported in the Daily Echo, the two multi-million-pound schemes will increase the number of lorries going to and from the village.

A county council report highlights the present state of Jacob's Gutter Lane, saying the road has "structurally failed" at several locations.

It adds: "With the expected increase in traffic - especially HGVs - the condition of the road will only deteriorate if maintenance work is not carried out.

"An exhibition will be arranged for local residents and businesses."

The report says two county councillors - Mel Kendal (Marchwood) and Edith Randall (Totton South) have voiced support for the scheme.

It adds: "Cllr Kendal has expressed concern over the effects of local traffic during the works and associated road closures. Both Cllr Kendal and Cllr Randall will be further consulted on the required traffic management measures when the programme of work has been finalised.

Work on Jacob's Gutter Lane and two other routes - Marchwood Road and Bury Road - will be carried out in two stages. Phase One of the scheme is due to start next April and take 12 weeks.

Jacob's Gutter Lane is a sparsely populated road that allows heavy lorries to reach the industrial park without passing a large number of houses.