TEA-TIME tailbacks on an already congested stretch of Hampshire would increase if a new dock is built between Hythe and Marchwood, a public inquiry has heard.

Commuters who live along the eastern edge of the New Forest already have a slow crawl home along the busy A326 Marchwood Bypass.

The public inquiry into plans for a new container terminal at Dibden Bay heard that the crawl would become even slower if Southampton Docks operator Associated British Ports (ABP) was given the go-ahead and built the terminal.

Cross-examined by Rich-ard Drabble, for Hampshire County and New Forest District councils, ABP transport expert David Tucker conceded there would be delays.

He agreed that estimates drawn up had predicted that the present two-minute wait while traffic from the Rushington Roundabout merges with vehicles from the Totton Western Bypass dual carriageway could grow to eight minutes.

There was also evidence predicting delays at other junctions on the A326, which would connect the port with Southampton and the motorway network.

Earlier, Mr Tucker had pointed out that management at the present Southampton Container Terminal was working towards reducing the number of lorries arriving and leaving at peak traffic times.

"They are trying very hard at present to discourage drivers from appearing in the peaks because of the difficulties for them.

"The old idea was you turned up when it suited the driver, but of course it is a 24-hour operation." He said the most efficient way to operate was for lorries to arrive at a regular rate.

Mr Tucker was also quizzed on predictions for the future, which included a forecast that by 2026 there would be a peak hour congestion throughout the nation's road network."

The Secretary of State for Transport will eventually decide whether the scheme can go ahead.