WHEN traffic is heavy, it can take them around half an hour just to leave their own street.

Residents in Oliver’s Battery Road North are fed up with waiting for road improvements.

The problem started a decade ago when the junction with Stanmore Lane in Winchester was altered.

It is just a few yards from the larger and busier junction of Romsey Road and Stanmore Lane.

Before the changes, which included building a cycle refuge, residents said they could leave their street easily.

Yet the queues to enter Romsey Road from Stanmore Lane are now much longer.

The knock-on effect is that motorists trying to exit Oliver’s Battery Road North are often stuck.

There is no other way to leave the road, which feeds into three cul-de-sacs, Monmouth Square, Westminster Gate and Fairfax Close.

It also provides the only access for parents dropping pupils at St Peter’s Catholic Primary School by car.

Amongst the residents leading the campaign for changes in Oliver’s Battery Road North is Stanley Jackson.

He said the Stanmore Lane cycle refuge is the only one of its kind in Winchester, but is rarely used because it is on a steep hill.

He added that they tried to contact their county councillor, Phrynette Dickens, to overturn the changes.

However, she had not replied despite several attempts, he said. The Chronicle also tried to contact her without success on the matter.

Mr Jackson said: “I would contend that the existing junction has singularly failed in its objective of encouraging cycling in Winchester but has blighted the lives of hundreds of the residents in this area of Winchester.”

This week, Hampshire County Council confirmed that it was taking another look at the junction.

Cllr Mel Kendal, executive member for environment and transport, said: "Proposals for a scheme to provide two lanes at the top of Stanmore Lane to its junction with Romsey Road are currently being worked on.

“Initial investigations have shown that the scheme could be provided within the existing highway but with the removal of the existing pedestrian centre island.

“Additional enhancements to improve pedestrian crossing opportunities and the provision of appropriate cycle facilities are also being explored as part of the scheme.

“It is hoped to implement the scheme in the 2013/14 financial year using Local Transport Plan funds."