Residents aired their frustration over Winchester's traffic problems at a town forum meeting.

Hardly a chair was empty in the Guildhall's Saxon Suite as over 80 people grilled city and county council members and officers.

Many criticised the redevelopment of the City Road junction near Winchester Station. Complaints were made about pedestrian crossing signs not being easily visible and the safety of pedestrians.

City council executive member for transport, John Beveridge, said the City Road scheme was now 75-80% complete.

Residents then aired their views over roadworks in Romsey Road, which are scheduled for autumn this year.

Paul Morgan, who lives in Romsey Road, expressed concern over the project. He added: "There seems to be a policy in Winchester to restrict access to the car. It seems to be all stick and no carrot."

County council planning officer, Nick Richardson, said the roadworks could not be timed to coincide with the school summer holidays to minimise disruption.

"It's not possible to squeeze a 16-week contract into the single month of August," he said. Conservative council member, Fiona Mather, raised the issue of pedestrian safety in St George's Street in central Winchester.

"The traffic is either jammed or the cars are racing to get to the next set of lights," she said. The next town forum meeting, on Thursday, March 13th, will concentrate on youth issues.