HIGHWAY chiefs are being urged to cut the accident toll on a Waterside road that has seen 29 crashes in the past three years.

At least three people have been seriously injured in a spate of collisions on Long Lane, Holbury, between the Hardley roundabout and Kennels Corner.

The emergency services are called out to the one-mile section of road - part of the A326 - an average of ten times a year.

Many of the accidents occur at complex junctions comprising the A326, side streets and a busy service road that runs alongside the main highway.

Fawley county councillor John Coles, who is demanding much-needed improvements, said: "Part of the problem is all the roads that join Long Lane.

"Drivers try to nip out when there's a gap in the traffic. The Holbury Drove junction is particularly bad because so many people use it."

The accident toll was revealed at a meeting of Fawley Parish Council.

Former parish council chairman Philip Pearce-Smith said: "People leaving the side roads find it very difficult to get across Long Lane and turn right.

"There is often a stream of traffic coming one way or the other, especially when they are changing shifts at the refinery.

"Many of the accidents have occurred at the junction of Long Lane and Southbourne Avenue, where a massive oak tree blocks drivers' views.

"People have talked about closing half the service road exits, but that would lead to a build-up of traffic at exits that were still open.

"Making the service road a one-way system would help."

Former county councillor Alexis McEvoy, who runs a local business, said: "Most of the accidents are down to carelessness on the part of drivers.

"I wouldn't be in favour of closing any of the side roads.

"However, there's probably a good case for introducing a left-turn only rule for drivers joining Long Lane between the Co-op and Hardley roundabout.

"I'd also like to see a refuge in the middle of the road, opposite the bus stop near Waltons Avenue."

In 1999, Long Lane was given a £300,000 facelift that included better lighting, hatching down the centre of the road and anti-skid surfacing.

But the accidents continued.

PC Chalky White, Hampshire police's New Forest traffic management officer, said: "It's a real mish-mash of roads, with lots of ins and outs.

"The multi-movements which take place at junctions can make it difficult for drivers to work out what other motorists are going to do."

A county council spokeswoman said 29 injury accidents happened in Long Lane in the three-year period between November 1999 and November 2002.

She said three of the crashes were classed as serious, but none had proved fatal.

"We have had meetings with Cllr Coles and agreed to introduce a casualty reduction scheme in the next financial year," added the spokeswoman.

"We will have another meeting in the next two months at which measures will be agreed or discussed further."