PLANS to revamp the bottleneck roundabout at Hurn have been approved by Dorset county councillors after a site visit.

The scheme could start now early next year.

The roundabout - one of the worst congestion blackspots in the conurbation, is part of the B3078 corridor linking Christchurch and the Spur Road to Chapel Gate, Parley, Ferndown, Wimborne and beyond.

It is also the key route to Bournemouth Airport.

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The plan will relocate the roundabout to the east of its current site and realign Parley Lane and the Avon Causeway.

The Christchurch Road section will also be re-orientated and the Matchams Lane junction moved.Around 240 trees will need to be felled.

Hurn parish councillors has previously objected to the proposal, saying it would not have much impact on congestion unless issues at Blackwater junction are addressed.

They said traffic travelling south would still back up to Hurn from Blackwater and queue around a new roundabout.

They were also worried about the impact on the Hurn Village Conservation Area.

Dorset was expected to decide on the plans in June but decided they needed to see the site before making a final decision.

The scheme is part of the bigger picture of road improvements to improve access to and from the employment areas on the airport.

The businesses based there form a key part of the local and regional economy.

The recently completed £22m Spur Road rebuild an element in this investment programme.

Planners accept the works could have "an adverse impact on the character and appearance of Hurn Village in the short term." This would be both the construction work and loss of woodland.

A report to councillors said: "Any short term impact needs to be balanced against the need to improve the strategic road network and the benefits to the economy..."

Chairman of Dorset's Regulatory Committee, Cllr David Jones, said proposals to address the problems at Blackwater would be brought forward.

"The Hurn plan is an important part of improving the road network and that is something we are all keen to see."