HIGHWAY chiefs have rejected criticism of plans to build a £1m junction on the edge of the New Forest.

They denied that long delays will occur when traffic lights are installed at the point where the A326 meets the A35 at Colbury.

Hampshire County Council is planning to build a right-turn facility for southbound traffic on the A326.

The new T-junction at the eastern end of the A35 fly-over will make it easier to get from Totton to Ashurst and Lyndhurst. Drivers currently have to turn left on to the A35 using an existing slip road, and then double back when they reach the Rushington roundabout.

In April the proposed alterations were criticised at a meeting of Totton Town Council's planning and transport advisory committee.

Members said the installation of traffic lights on the A35 - a busy dual carriageway - would create tailbacks.

However, county transport officer Peter Murnaghan gave reassurances to councillors at this week's meeting of the committee.

He said queues at the lights would be less than 100 metres - even at peak periods.

Mr Murnaghan confirmed that the scheme could result in another 4,000 vehicles a day using the A35 through Ashurst - but said that was a worst-case scenario.

Totton county councillor Edith Randall said: "On the whole it's a very good plan.

"Some of the figures given out have been misunderstood. We will probably see the least worst case scenario because a lot of drivers won't change their habits."

Town council chairman Steve Shepherd warned that the number of residents and tourists using the new junction was likely to rise steadily.

"Given time the increase in traffic will make this scheme more of a problem than a cure," he said.

However, councillors agreed to support the plan after accepting there was no alternative. Work is due to start at the end of this year.