Motorist complained that a police crackdown on speeding drivers  slowed traffic on the A31 yesterday afternoon.

Thousands were caught up in long tailbacks through the New Forest, which some drivers said was due to people slowing down to look at the officers.

It comes after Hampshire Police launched a crackdown on speeding motorists.

As previously reported, they have joined a Europe-wide campaign targeting roads considered accident blackspots.

But motorists say the police are bringing roads to a standstill.

Rush hour traffic piled up on the westbound carriageway of the A31 through the New Forest ahead of a speed trap on the eastbound carriageway near Cadnam. A broken down car added to the chaos.

One disgruntled motorist told the Daily Echo:"The police seem determined to bring the flow of traffic to a complete standstill."

Traffic flowing westbound seemed unaffected by the camera, although thousands more were caught in jams caused by an accident after j3 of the M27, slowing traffic as far back as Cadnam.

Hampshire Police refused to comment.