SAFETY improvements to an accident hotspot at a busy Kings Worthy junction have been rubberstamped.

The £103,000 scheme for the A33/B3047 Cart and Horses junction got county council approval earlier this month at Cllr Seán Woodward’s decision day.

Proposals for a roundabout were thwarted last year due to a £3 million cost.

The new scheme will see three new pedestrian crossings – one at the northern end of the existing central reservation, the second in front of the Cart and Horses pub, and the third south of the A33/London Road junction.

It is also hoped to improve road safety with the introduction of vehicle-activated warning signs and speed strips approaching the junction.

The central reservation, where cars wait to turn right onto the A33, will be increased, and it is proposed to lower the speed limit from 50mph to 40mph.

Cllr Woodward, executive member for economy, transport and environment, said: “This is the first problem location that I visited within an hour of being appointed as executive member last year. I was invited by Winchester MP Steve Brine and agreed that something needed to be done.

“We have listened to the concerns local residents have raised about this junction. Well maintained, safe roads are a priority for us and I am pleased to be able to approve this scheme which aims to make this junction much safer and in so doing I hope it will alleviate residents’ worries.”

Work is due to start before the end of the year and completed by June 2015.