Villagers are celebrating after winning a 20-year fight to put the brakes on traffic thundering through Twyford.

The £120,000 package of improvements, approved by HCC environment boss, Keith Estlin, has been welcomed by Twyford Parish Council.

Roger Walker, who helped develop the scheme, said: "It has been a long time coming: the council said 20 years ago that something had to be done about the traffic. The problem has always been funding.

"Some would like it to have been more radical, but we feel it will slow traffic and generally make it safer for pedestrians."

Mr Walker said the broada through route between Winchester and Portsmouthsplit the village, with the post office on one side and the school and church on the other.

"The new crossing places will be helpful once they become known to drivers who come through the village."

Main features are new "gateway" signs at northern and southern ends of the village, courtesy crossing points, white lining to visually narrow the road, wider footways at Bourne Lane, drop kerbs and upgrading of the bus shelter.

"Rural-looking" signs will include the village motif designed by art teacher, Judith Eaton. Work will start in the spring and be completed by summer.