THERE will be more traffic misery for motorists on the A338 Spur Road this month with weeks of roadworks set to take place.

Preliminary works are due to be carried out on the A338 and Blackwater Junction ahead of a major transportation project due to start later this year.

The work is being carried out as part of the BIG Programme - a package of transport and infrastructure projects to transform access to and around Bournemouth Airport, Aviation Business Park and Wessex Fields.

The schemes taking place include improvements to Blackwater Junction, a new link road off the A338 at Wessex Fields and a possible widening of the A338 Wessex Way between Blackwater and Cooper Dean.

However before work on these schemes can begin various preliminary works need to be completed.

Bournemouth Borough Council will be clearing vegetation at Blackwater West junction from Monday, January 9 for two weeks ahead of bird nesting season in the spring.

The council has said that single lane traffic management may be needed in the first week to ensure the safety of those working on the verge.

Six weeks of works on the A338 between Blackwater and Cooper Dean will begin on Monday, January 23.

The first three weeks will result in a lane closure and a 40mph speed restriction.

The second three weeks will involve work away from the highway to carry out exploratory works for the Wessex Fields scheme and is not expected to impact on road users.

Work at Blackwater East junction is due to start today (January3), but this is not expected to cause any impact to motorists as no traffic management will be required.

Ian Kalra, head of transportation services, said: “Ahead of making improvements to the road layout in the area, it is necessary for us to carry out some preliminary works including site clearance and surveying.

"In some cases, this may mean traffic management being used, to ensure the safety of the workforce, but this will be kept to a minimum wherever possible.”

The BIG Programme’s first major transport scheme - the £22 million major renewal of the A338 Bournemouth Spur Road between Ashley Heath and Blackwater - was successfully completed on time and under budget in May 2016.

Work at Blackwater Junction and Hurn Roundabout is set to start in September 2017 - with work on the Wessex Fields Junction set to start in Spring 2019.