CROSSING the busy Bournemouth Road near Asda's Chandler's Ford hypermarket is "almost impossible" if you are elderly and are laden with bags of shopping, civic chiefs have been told.

Now, Eastleigh council's Chandler's Ford and Hiltingbury local area committee is to urge Hampshire County Council to bring forward plans to provide a safe crossing point for pedestrians between the bus stops at Hut Hill as a matter of urgency.

Local councillors also want the county to have talks with B&Q and other major employers in the area to net the necessary cash for the scheme.

Councillor Alan Broadhurst told local area committee colleagues he was aware the county was working with B&Q to seek funding for a crossing at that point in association with the development of the firm's headquarters.

But he added: "We need to get this thing moving. Residents of Chandler's Ford now find it quite difficult having to sprint across Hut Hill. If you are not young and have bags of shopping it is almost impossible to get across."

He added that it did not seem unreasonable to approach Asda to contribute to the cost because a crossing would benefit its customers.

Councillor Colin Davidovitz said: "The real crux of the matter is the number of people who work in the business park.

"There is constant traffic across the road these days from the business park of people going for breakfast, lunch and getting their shopping before they go home at night."

The county council, he said, was currently working on a high-priority scheme which included a crossing at Hut Hill plus another near the Chestnut Avenue roundabout linked with cycle route facilities.

But he added: "These things are very expensive."

Cllr Davidovitz explained that an agreement was being negotiated with B&Q as part of a new building scheme.

"The council has not had an indication from B&Q when it is going to start building and the money only becomes available when that building is built.

"Hopefully, with a fair wind, that crossing will be in as early as August this year - but it does depend on a number of factors."