NEW signs could be unveiled in forthcoming weeks to improve the much-discussed 'merge in turn' operation on the approach to Lowestoft's bascule bridge.

NEW signs could be unveiled in forthcoming weeks to improve the much-discussed 'merge in turn' operation on the approach to Lowestoft's bascule bridge.

This merge manoeuvre has attracted widespread debate ever since The Journal revealed in June how police chiefs had appealed for drivers to use a traffic system in the town correctly.

Pleas for courtesy triggered complaints from other enraged drivers as calls to merge on the two-lane system in Belvedere Road, heading off from the Asda roundabout towards the bridge, seemingly divided the town.

But with the support of Waveney MP Bob Blizzard, who organised a site meeting between police chiefs, transport and highways officials at the problem area in August, a new signage system to make it clear to drivers that they need to use the two lanes to reduce traffic tailbacks is being developed.

With drivers being warned that they may face being issued with a fixed penalty ticket, a �30 or �60 fine, three points on their licence or possible prosecution at court if they did not use the system correctly, police will still 'monitor' this issue as it has been a policing priority issue all summer for the Lowestoft Central Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) following complaints about its misuse.

'We liaised with Waveney District Council, Suffolk Highways, the Department of Transport and Waveney MP Bob Blizzard in regards to signage for the 'merge in turn' aspect,' a police spokesman said.

'We are awaiting final plans from the various departments. We asked for the Suffolk Police Roads Policing Unit and local PCSO's to monitor the traffic issues and to enforce any offences by way of fixed penalty notices. We have not received any further complaints regarding this issue but will continue to monitor and enforce as part of our ongoing patrols.'