A FORMER council highways inspector fears that a new Eastleigh parking arrangement could lead to accidents.

New bays have been created for a residents' parking scheme in the town's Grantham Road area.

But 76-year-old Tony Herbert, who lives in nearby Thirlmere, says the size of the parking bays on both sides of the road has dramatically reduced the width of the highway.

He said: "By narrowing the road it has made it extremely dangerous because traffic will have to squeeze through.

"I can see there is going to be a few accidents."

Mr Herbert, who has protested to the council, said signs should have been put up to warn motorists of the new layout.

"Local residents will know what has happened, but strangers won't," said Mr Herbert who for 25 years was a highways inspector for the local council.

Eastleigh Council's head of engineering, Duncan McVey, said: "The bays are marked to provide as many spaces as possible for local residents to use.

"The new residents' parking scheme has been designed to allow a traffic lane width of at least 3.5 metres, which is sufficient to enable access for emergency vehicles.

"The situation remains unchanged as parking has in the past been permitted on both sides of the road.

"The scheme will, however, be monitored over the next few months to see if any changes need to be made."