ANGRY residents were fed up by so many motorists risking road safety by removing barriers from a route blocked off for roadworks - so they fought back.

The householders snapped the drivers moving the signs so they could use the road as a short cut.

But now the motorists have been issued a warning by roads bosses who condemned their behaviour as being a “huge safety risk”.

It comes as roads bosses close the A3057 Romsey Road Bridge again every night from 10pm to 5am from tonight (August 5) to Sunday (August 7).

Neighbours in Rownhams say they battled against a wave of “abusive” motorists who they claim turned a “quiet” country lane into a “rat run” while roadworks took place nearby.

But motorists were snapped by neighbours in Toothill Road who they claim were moving the signs as they used the single-lane track as a short cut to Rownhams Lane, rather than heading further up to Hoe Lane.

Diversions had been in place in the area as a project to replace the 42-year old bridge – which crosses the M27 – got underway.

Toothill and Packridge lanes were closed after they were considered “unsuitable for diverted traffic”.

The A3057 is a major artery through the villages of Nursling and Rownhams between Romsey and Southampton.

One neighbour, Andy Croad, said motorists were “hammering down there” while residents walked their dogs, not expecting to see any cars along it.

Another resident, Michael Walton, said “it’s only a matter of time” before a serious accident happened along that road.

“When they got signage up with the road closed, people like that are thoroughly irresponsible, and I would suggest that their driving is too,” he said.

Andy, who has been living on the road for 15 years, said some of the barriers were pushed “out into the main A3057”.

“I lost count of the number of times I had to replace the barriers. I was putting the barriers back at least once every hour. It was absolute bedlam,” he said.

“Everybody had an excuse: they had to get to a doctor or a hospital appointment. I heard every excuse under the sun.”

Hampshire police said they had been notified of the incidents but had passed on a report to Highways England.

A spokesman from Highways England said: “We strongly urge all road users to use official diversion routes when roadworks are in place.

"Diversion routes are decided in agreement with local councils and the police.

“They are there for your safety, the safety of road workers and the safety of local residents.

"The Highway Code clearly states that drivers must not drive through an area marked off by traffic cones and doing so is a traffic offence.”