WHITELEY residents are celebrating after a Hampshire County Council U-turn over a private road.

The council has had a change of heart over plans to remove a gate on a private road after locals claimed it would turn their quiet lane into a rat run.

Whiteley Lane homeowners feared removal of the padlocked gate would encourage at least 1,000 cars a day to use the ancient right of way as motorists sought an alternative to grid-locked junction 9 of the M27.

Traffic can legally use the road, along with pedestrians, horseriders and motorcyclists - but the county council may erect traffic prohibited signs to prevent junction 9 overspill.

The gate had been erected at the end of Whiteley Lane at its junction with Parkway and "private access - residents only" signs have been put up at each end of the lane.

Resident Nick Bates said some 1,000 cars a day would use the dirt track road from Solent Business park if it was opened.

"At peak times there are queues stretching from junction 9 of the motorway almost a mile and even across the entrance to our lane,'' he said.

"Much of this traffic would undoubtedly then use our lane as a rat run. The situation is potentially liable to be worsened as some commercial units at the moment are vacant and the new retail market and supermarket constructions are yet to be com-pleted.''

The county council has stated it does not intend the road to be used as a rat run for motorists. But it says horse riders and pedestrians should be able to use the right of way.

After meeting county councillors and council officers this week, residents agreed to remove signs to allow better access for walkers and horses.

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