IT WAS a U-turn nobody wanted and now the residents of Warsash have discovered it is here to stay.

At a cost of £80,000 workmen are currently reversing the one-way system around Shore Road after road bosses backed the move ignoring protests from locals.

But now residents have been dealt a fresh blow after it was revealed the move will be permanent.

Warsash Residents' Association claims it was told the reversal order would be reviewed after a year.

But Hampshire County Council has confirmed that the decision was taken to make the order permanent at a Fareham council planning meeting.

A spokeswoman said: "It would appear that the project was approved by Fareham on the understanding that it would be permanent as councillors didn't want to approve the budget if there was a possibility it would not be there long term."

It came as a surprise to association chairman Derek Woodward. He said: "I am surprised to hear that the order will not be reviewed after a year. The last we heard from county councillor Keith Estlin was that it would be reviewed after 12 months."

Frank Greensmith, of Shore Road, was one of the most outspoken critics of the scheme when it was announced.

He said: "I feel let down. We won't be able to air our views after 12 months but to be honest from the way they have been going about it, there doesn't look anything temporary about it."

A spokeswoman for Fareham borough council said: "The scheme was originally supposed to be piloted but it was found that it wouldn't be practical.

"Although the kerbs are going to be a permanent feature they wouldn't stop the route being reversed again if it was found to be totally impractical."

Suspicions of residents were first aroused when workman began using hardwearing granite designed for long-term use.

The material had been imported from China but Hampshire County Council has insisted it was the most cost-effective option.

A spokeswoman said: "The contract was tendered and it was decided that using the Chinese granite would be more cost effective long-term as it is very hard wearing and durable."

It was last February that officers recommended the one way system be reversed and part of Passage Lane converted into a two-way road.

The idea is to persuade people to use a large car park further away and encourage sightseers to walk down to the front but was met with opposition by residents who said the plans would just mean people would make unnecessarily long journeys.