MOTORISTS are being warned of long delays at a major junction next month.

Temporary traffic lights will be used at Parley Cross in Ferndown while a damaged traffic light controller is replaced. Dorset County Council is carrying out the emergency work after a vehicle collided with the equipment three weeks ago.

It will take two days to replace the broken controller, and while the work is being carried out a number of rotting poles will also be changed.

Gordon Sneddon, the council’s acting traffic manager, said the work is urgent. “This is an incredibly busy junction all year round and so there is never a good time to do this work,” he added.

“If we don’t deal with this soon all the traffic lights on this section could fail.”

The work will take place on September 1 and 2, but the permanent signals may not be up and running until after rush hour on the morning of September 3. The temporary traffic lights will be manned throughout the working day to help reduce disruption.

Drivers should plan for extra time to complete their journeys, or if possible use alternative routes.