New road signs and white lines are to be installed in a bid to improve safety at one of the most accident-prone junctions in Hampshire.

A raised ridge is also to be constructed between two lanes, to discourage manoeuvring traffic from weaving.

The work is to be carried out at junction 7 of the M27, the turn-off for Marks & Spencer and other stores at Hedge End retail park.

Members of Hampshire County Council roads and development sub-committee approved the £55,000 project.

Figures in a report show that in the three-year period up to December 31 last year there were 26 personal injury accidents at the junction, putting it in the top 20 of the county's list of high-risk accident sites.

The intersection is in the form of a roundabout over the motorway.

Collisions have continued to occur despite the roundabout and roads on to it being controlled with traffic lights.

The report stated: "Many of the accidents involve tail-end shunts or weaving conflicts due to the lack of lane discipline shown by drivers entering and negotiating the roundabout."

The new scheme involves new direction signing on major roads converging on the junction.

"This will give drivers information on which lanes should be used for particular destinations," the report said. "It is hoped this signing will reduce weaving accidents and encourage better lane discipline."

White lines will be painted on the roundabout to create new lanes. The idea is to lead drivers round and off the roundabout at their desired exit by following the same lane all the way round.

The raised ridge is to be put into the surface at the start of Charles Watts Way, the dual carriageway leading from the junction to the retail park and much of the rest of Hedge End.

Vehicles are able to avoid the traffic lights at the top of the eastbound exit from the motorway if they are turning into Charles Watts Way. A bypass-lane marked "stores" misses out the roundabout.

Highway chiefs are concerned about many drivers using the shortcut and immediately switching lanes to avoid a subsequent left turn into the retail park.

"Concern has been raised by the police over the potential danger of this weaving manoeuvre on the bend," the report stated.

"Currently there is hatching on the road to try to discourage drivers from weaving until they are on to Charles Watts Way.

"However, this lining is ignored, so it is proposed to replace it with a slightly domed red-coloured surface."

In a further bid to cut accidents, a high-grip surface is to be installed on the roundabout at the approach to signals.

To ensure that complex white lining is not further complicated by the change in road surface, engineers insist that the new surface is grey and a good match with the rest of the roundabout.