CAMPAIGNERS to improve a stretch of road blighted by traffic problems caused by lorries have agreed a way forward in a bid to stop disruption.

MP for North West Hampshire Kit Malthouse met with representatives from parish councils along the A343, along with Gary Edwards from Speedwatch, Basingstoke and Deane Borough councillor Graham Falconer and Hampshire County councillor Tom Thacker on June 8.

The meeting was organised following disruption on the road which links Andover to Newbury caused by heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) during the snow storms in March this year.

Concerns were raised, in response to anger from residents and drivers, that the A343 is “unsuitable” for HGVs and often lorry drivers used the villages as rat runs on their routes.

Mr Malthouse said: “The A343 is unsuitable for HGVs and people hurtle along it at ridiculous speeds. During the heavy weather this winter we had lorries going off the road and many more unable to make it up the hill from Hurstbourne Tarrant towards Andover.”

In the past Mr Malthouse has pressed to have the road de-designated from its current A-road status to prevent it appearing on HGV drivers’ GPS systems using the villages as cut throughs and worked with parish councils to impose a weight restriction on the road which have all been knocked back.

But, during the meeting at Highclere Village Hall, it was decided that residents would be approached to share their views, and encouraged to contact police on 101 for any incidents along the road as there is currently a lack of data filed on the number of accidents occurred on the route.

It is also expected that in the coming months talks will be held on the need for traffic calming measures such as signage and traffic lights.

Mr Malthouse added: “The meeting was a success and the information we gather over the coming months should really strengthen our case for measures to solve this problem.”