DRIVERS face chaos when a stretch of one of Poole’s busiest roads is closed in one direction for almost a week.

Resurfacing work is being done over almost a mile of Herbert Avenue – which is used by 23,000 vehicles a day – from Tuesday, May 27 to Saturday, May 31.

The roadworks will be carried out in the half-term holidays to minimise disruption but a local councillor has warned of ‘potential chaos’.

The work is taking place between Arne Avenue and Ringwood Road. Westbound traffic can still use the route, but traffic coming from Ringwood Road to Alder Road will be diverted.

Cllr Ian Potter, cabinet member for transport at the Borough of Poole, said: “These works are vital as we have received a number of complaints about the road surface along Herbert Avenue.

“We have chosen the half-term week to carry out these works as traffic levels will be considerably lower than normal and we are aiming to minimise disruption to road users.

“Westbound traffic will be unaffected but there will be a 24-hour diversion in place for traffic coming from Ringwood Road to Alder Road.

“We appreciate that there will be some impact on journey times and would encourage people to allow extra time.”

The council is resurfacing both eastbound and westbound lanes, but it  is only closing the route to eastbound traffic.

Alderney councillor Tony Trent said: “It’s got to be done but it will potentially be chaos.”

He said he had been communicating with residents, including hundreds of Facebook users.

“Most people understand what’s going to happen and understand it’s a necessary evil. The timing has prevented it from being worse,” he said.

“It would be nice if it were possible to do the work at night. “But because there are so many residential properties here – that and the extra expense – the idea was ruled out.

“It’s going to be quite an inconvenience to people living nearby but hopefully a fresh, resurfaced Herbert Avenue is going to be an improvement.

“There are some slight changes to markings to improve safety on the road afterwards so there may be a few gains for the community when it’s all been done.”

Roadworks in detail

Work will take place from 7.30am to 6pm.

Poole council says businesses will be open as usual and access to the St Aldhelm’s Academy site will be unaffected.

Westbound traffic from Alder Road towards Ringwood Road can still use the road, but delays are possible.

Eastbound traffic – Ringwood Road to Alder Road – will be diverted via the Mountbatten roundabout, Wallisdown Road and Alder Road. Morebus has said it will work closely with the council to limit disruption for travellers.

A statement from operations manager Adam Keen said: “Our 14 and 16 buses will operate from Poole to the Seaview roundabout through Ashley Road, turning left at Branksome roundabout and on to Alder Road at the traffic lights – and then left on to Herbert Avenue. From there, they will turn into Arne Avenue, before re-joining their usual route.

“The 7b will operate normally until it reaches the top of Albert Road. After that it will take a right to the top of Rossmore Road before turning left into Herbert Avenue and right onto Arne Avenue, before picking up its regular route.

“The 7b will travel back to the junction at Arne Avenue, turn left on to Herbert Avenue and then right into Rossmore Road.

“Having recently increased the frequency of some services in Poole, we hope the timing isn’t too frustrating for our customers.

“We promise to bring these services back to normal as soon as we are given the nod that it is safe to do so.”