THE man responsible for the controversial Sainsbury's traffic island changes had to face the wrath of motorists at a heated public meeting.

County council head of highway maintenance Paul Jameson faced a barrage of criticism from drivers demanding the changes be scrapped.

The island on the A441 was changed earlier this year with a new layout intended to cut serious accidents.

But drivers said the changes had led to severe tailbacks and problems entering the island from Millrace Road and the crematorium.

Mr Jameson accepted mistakes had been made and admitted the consultant contractors who designed the system should have consulted Redditch highways manager Jim Casey, whose input in the future will be "key".

Mr Jameson told the meeting: "I accept what we have done has met with your profound disapproval and we will now do our utmost to get it right in terms of traffic capacity and keeping accidents down.

"But my top priority will always be to keep accidents down.

"We will be remodelling the island, hopefully in the next couple of months."

Criticism of the lane markings at St George's island on the ring road were also made, with problems still being encountered.

Mr Jameson said some of the markings coming off the Coventry Highway would be changed in soon to improve flow.