TWO mini-roundabouts could be the answer to the continuing congestion and frustration for motorists who face the ever-growing queues of traffic at the Tesco traffic lights in Wey Hill.

So says a Haslemere town councillor, who is among others calling for a end to the hold-ups in Wey Hill and the rat-running along residential roads in the town.

The traffic lights have been a source of aggravation for more than three years. In 2001, Tesco agreed to carry out remedial works at cost of around £90,000 to bring an end to the tailbacks and traffic chaos, especially at peak times. But 18 months later, motorists have seen little improvement with an average of only three to four cars allowed through the lights at a time

The subject of the traffic lights was raised at a meeting of Haslemere Town Council last week when Surrey County Council's local transportation director, Phil Crossland, was quizzed by town councillors.

Mr Crossland admitted that the lights were still "not working as effectively as they should," and put the blame on the sensitive sensors under the road.

But Jaquie Keen called the lights "a fiasco" with confused and frustrated motorists jumping red lights to get into Lion Lane and Tesco. "I've never seen so many light columns for such a small area. They have caused untold problems," she declared.

And she accused those responsible for putting the lights in, as "not giving any thought" to the scheme.

"I would just like to get rid off all those traffic lights. They have urbanised the area and it is not helpful to have traffic lights which holds up more traffic than it helps," she continued, after the meeting.

"There must be a better option for Shottermill. The cars are backed up and down Wey Hill and SCC should ask Haslemere people what they think about the lights.

"I"m not talking about a huge roundabout but about two mini-roundabouts and I am sure if that is what Haslemere residents want, they wouldn't mind paying a bit more on the precept to help fund it," said Mrs Keen.

"It's a total chaotic mess and nobody is happy with it."

The president of Haslemere Chamber of Trade, Melanie Odell, also supported the idea.

"As a chamber we did raise the question and were told the idea was out of the question. I think it is a good solution; the lights are far too complicated and they are a danger."

And she added: "Apart from the frustration they cause, none of the changes seems to have made any difference, apart from when the lights go out and everything works well with no hold-ups."

Simon Fawson, who is co-ordinator for transport in Haslemere's Healthcheck programme to ensure the town's future viability, said that "something needed to be done."

"The question of a double mini-roundabout is an interesting one, and it would be worth looking at," said Mr Fawson.

"At the moment, the 'Venetian blinds' on some of the lights are an absurdity and absolutely dangerous," he claimed.

"They put in far too many traffic signal poles for a junction of that size" said Mr Fawson, who has counted 19.

And he believed they should look at mini-roundabouts "and come up with some figures".

Mr Crossland told town councillors at their meeting last week that mini-roundabouts could create more problems than they solved, with traffic on the main road having to give way to Lion Lane and Tesco traffic.

And he said there would be problems for pedestrians "who would have to take their chance with the traffic.

"If we want to look further we have to look at the feasibility. We are talking of not £50,000 to £60,000 but very significant sums of money," he told his audience.