TWO stories in today's Hampshire Chronicle that are seemingly unrelated but actually have strong connections.

We highlight the ongoing campaign to improve the notorious Cart and Horse junction, the intersection at Kings Worthy between the B3047 and the A33. It is one of the longest running issues in recent history with efforts to improve safety going back into the mists of time. Local councillor Jackie Porter has been battling for major improvements rather than the tinkering which just seems to have confused people. It might have slowed traffic down but the uncertainty appears to be causing more crashes and near-misses

The other story is the issue in Sutton Scotney with plans for more than 100 houses at Brightlands on the edge of the village. City council planners have been told by the Government to prepare for the development of many more homes. As an aside, quite who is going to build all these new houses does not appear to be being addressed by the London politicians, but that's another story.

The issue is that local roads are likely to see a major increase in traffic if schemes such as Sutton Scotney, and heaven forbid, Micheldever New Town, ever come to pass.

That means spots such as the Cart and Horses junction will come under ever greater pressure, especially when the Junction 9 scheme is completed just up the road. Hampshire County Council, the highways authority, should look ahead, grasp the nettle and come up with a proper scheme to tackle this irritating problem. It will be costly but surely a roundabout is the only answer?