A study of the area is being carried out to try and come up with a long-term solution to the problem while in the short term, signs warning drivers of delays due to road works will be put up.

Traffic snarl-ups around the Beddington industrial estatehave got worse in recent months because of cable-laying and the Beddington village improvement scheme. The pedestrian safety improvements around Hilliers Lane will not be finished until at least July.

Ken Sherwood, chairman of the South Wandle Regeneration Partnership, said: "This commitment has the backing of the South Wandle and London Wandle Valley Partnerships.

"We understand fully the effect traffic congestion has on the business in the Beddington Lane area and this study should enable real solutions to be found."