WORK to repair road signs on the Wessex Way in Bournemouth caused traffic misery for motorists today.

There were long tailbacks between the St Paul’s roundabout and the Bournemouth West roundabout yesterday, where the road was reduced to a single carriageway in both directions.

The restrictions will be in place until Friday between 9.30am and 3.30pm. They are in place while maintenance work is carried out on a number of signs that were damaged during the severe weather seen earlier this year.

A stretch of the Wessex Way will also be closed overnight tomorrow while further maintenance works are carried out. The stretch between County Gates and Bournemouth West roundabout will be closed from 10pm until 6am and a signed diversion will be in place.

There will also be carriageway restrictions between 7pm and 6am on the stretch between Blackwater Junction and the Bournemouth West roundabout.

Stuart Best, street services manager, said: “Lane restrictions on the Wessex Way this week have been in place so that essential maintenance work can be carried out on a number of signs that were damaged as a result of the recent severe winter weather.

“Due to the nature and complexity of this work it is being done in daylight hours, but to keep disruption to a minimum the lane closures have been in place outside of peak times.

“We have also taken this opportunity to tackle gully cleansing and attend to shrubbery and trees along this route. We apologise for any inconvenience caused by these restrictions and thank motorists for their patience whilst we carry out this work.”