PLANS to build more than 1,000 homes near a Hampshire village have raised fears that the area will be hit by "M25-style" jams.

People living near the old Fawley Power Station say proposals to redevelop the 300-acre site will result in an extra 2,000 cars using the A326, which is already gridlocked at peak periods.

Dubbed the longest cul-de-sac in the country, it is the only major road serving the 40,000 people who live in the Waterside area.

As revealed in yesterday's Daily Echo, proposals are being drawn up to replace the former power station with hundreds of homes and a luxury marina.

Bosses behind the multi-million-pound scheme claim it will make a major contribution to the local economy.

But residents say extra traffic generated by the proposed development will overload a road already used by more than 20,000 drivers a day.

Vehicles often grind to a halt during the morning and evening rush-hour, while accidents and roadworks also result in massive congestion.

Last night people living in the area took to social media to voice their shock and anger at proposals to redevelop the power station site.

Sheena Parfitt said: "We'll be like the M25. Rush-hour would be gridlock from Fawley through to Southampton. Hope there is no way this will get through."

The issue was raised at a meeting of the district council's ruling Cabinet yesterday.

Cllr David Harrison, who represents Marchwood South, has spent years campaigning for freight-only railway line between Totton to Fawley to be turned into a passenger route.

He said: "A thousand new homes at Fawley has the potential to significantly increase the problems of traffic congestion and air quality along the A326.

"Tackling this will be a challenge but also an opportunity. In particular, I think the Fawley development is just the leverage needed to progress the Waterside passenger railway service project."

Julian Lewis, Tory MP for New East, added: "If this development is to proceed, the surveyors and traffic planners had better get their calculations right."

The power station has been bought by Fawley Waterside Ltd, with London-based Long Harbour acting as investment manager.

Last night a Fawley Waterside spokesman said: "We will need to make improvements to the A326.

"The road could be enhanced by improving the roundabouts and the signage as well as widening entrances and exits."