The A338 northbound was closed to traffic from the Cooper Dean roundabout for three hours this mornign after a car overturned and caught fire.
The accident happened just before the Blackwater junction at 6am and the road was closed while recovery work took place.
Traffic was gridlocked across the town from 7am, with all major roads across the town at a standstill. We've started live updates - you can let us know what you think here. This story is now closed for comments.
Police were directing traffic off the Wessex Way at the Cooper Dean flyover.
By 7.30am, cars were backed up to the Springbourne junction and traffic levels were along Castle Lane and into Christchurch, along Barrack Road. By 8.30am traffic was backing up to Richmond Hill.
And traffic inbound into town was congested by gridlock at the St Paul's roundabout.
The road was reopened at 9am.
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