HIGHCLIFFE Residents' Association is predicting a month or more of traffic chaos in the village centre as the A35 through the New Forest is closed for major roadworks.

The official diversion route from Somerford to Lyndhurst is along the A337 via Highcliffe, New Milton, Lymington and Brockenhurst.

On its website the association said it was expecting "chaos" and a "traffic nightmare".

A Hampshire County Council spokeswoman said: "From Monday for approximately four weeks, the A35 will be closed to traffic from Wilverley Post to the C10 Holmsley junction near the bridge.

"This is for bridge repair works in connection to the major maintenance scheme."

And she warned: "This work is weather-dependent, and so it may overrun if we get a particularly wet spell.

"Once this work is complete, there will be two other closures of five days each as part of the major maintenance scheme.

"Details will be given in due course when we know when the four-week closure is likely to be lifted."

Around 10,000 vehicles a day use the A35 between Somerford and Lyndhurst.

Many drivers will use the B3055 from Hinton St Michael through Sway to Brockenhurst as an alternative route. Others will use the A31 and the A338 spur road, but some will use the official diversion.

Steve White of Highcliffe Residents' Association said the village could not cope with ordinary volumes of traffic "let alone several thousands more vehicles".

"It is feared that in desperation motorists may try to use village side roads through quiet residential areas, and past the schools, especially the primary school," he said.

First published: October 17