THOUSANDS of people were caught in horrendous traffic jams across Dorset and the New Forest yesterday.
In Bournemouth, tailbacks on Castle Lane were described as the worst ever, with some shoppers stuck in the Castlepoint car park for hours.
Traffic across Bournemouth and Poole was hit by the rush-hour closure of a section of the Wessex Way.
And drivers heading into Dorset from Hampshire queued for miles as people headed to the coast.
The queues on Castle Lane stretched back from the Cooper Dean Roundabout past Mallard Road.
Castlepoint boss Peter Matthews said the scenes were the worst he had seen since the roadworks started five months ago.
The bulk of the disruptive work is almost over and the roadworks are predicted to finish ahead of schedule.
Traffic started to build up from 11am but five hours later, shoppers were still reporting massive delays in getting on to Castle Lane.
Sue Roberts, of Christchurch, said: "It is absolutely horrendous. I had some time off so I thought I'd pop up to Marks and Spencer at Castlepoint. I was in there for half an hour but I've been struck trying to get out for three hours.
"Other people have been here for even longer and you do hear people starting to swear. It's taking some people an hour just to get out of their parking space, let alone move anywhere."
Castlepoint manager Mr Matthews said: "It's incredibly frustrating. Friday is always a busy shopping day anyway, plus it's the last day of school and the start of Marks and Spencer's sale.
"But if traffic can't get out on to Castle Lane, there's absolutely nothing we can do.
"There was one day in April when the traffic was absolutely horrendous but today is possibly the worst day so far. Luckily there's only a week of carriageway work left and I can't believe it could be this bad again."
Meanwhile, a broken-down lorry at the Frizzell roundabout caused police to close off the Wessex Way and its surrounding roads during the evening rush hour.
There were dozens of angry bus passengers at Poole bus station when buses stuck in traffic jams failed to turn up.
Chris Harris spokesperson for Wilts & Dorset, said: "There have been considerable problems because of the traffic congestion in Westbourne.
"We apologise for the delays, but it was beyond our control."
Traffic heading towards Dorset between Cadnam and Ringwood was down to an average of 10mph last night. On parts of the M27 westbound, speeds were down to 20mph.
Bob Humphries, a spokesman at Dorset Police, said: "Traffic is very heavy everywhere. I would assume it is down to the weather not being very nice and holidaymakers drifting around with nowhere to go and the rush hour."
Cllr Robert Lawton, Bournemouth's cabinet member for environment and transport, said of the Castle Lane roadworks: "We apologise for the inconvenience caused and would like to assure road users that the major disruptive work is due to be competed by the end of July. Our staff on the ground are working hard to keep ahead of schedule.
"In the meantime we urge drivers to take an alternative route and avoid Castle Lane where possible."
