A business leader has blasted the idea of billing drivers to stop cars clogging up major routes around Fareham and Gosport.

Alexander Hamelin, policy and research manager at Fareham Chamber of Commerce, believes so-called congestion charges would kill off many companies in the towns.

Hampshire transport chiefs are considering making motorists pay to drive into Fareham and Gosport in a bid to ease traffic chaos.

The controversial proposal is one of a raft of measures outlined in a study to stem the rising tide of cars bringing the A32 and A27 to a virtual standstill.

The study says the potential for road pricing should be explored in the future but no definite plans have been put in place yet.

The report shows that traffic has grown in Hampshire by 30 per cent between 1999 and 2000 with 127 cars per 100 households compared to a national average of 99 cars per 100 households.

Mr Hamelin, said congestion charges would spell the end for businesses. He said: "If they were introduced in Fareham and Gosport they would have a detrimental effect on businesses because people would just go to other places where there are no charges.

"If it's only introduced by two boroughs other places will become more attractive." He branded the report's proposal of introducing workplace car parking fees as "ridiculous".

Measures outlined in the report unveiled by South East Hampshire transportation strategy panel last week included:

Introducing park-and-ride schemes.

Educating the public about the need to reduce car journeys.

Giving more space to pedestrians, buses and cyclists in town centres by giving them greater priority.