BOURNEMOUTH council has come under fire after a series of roadworks gridlocked the town’s motorists yesterday morning.

Planned works at Horseshoe Common, Braidley Road, Bourne Avenue and emergency works at Exeter Road forced drivers to turn around at some parts while on their way to work.

Wayne Roff, a 51-year-old energy company employee, said his normal 15 minute journey from Kinson took 45 minutes. “How can the council allow the town to be shut off with road works? Without warning, motorists travelling to Exeter Road had to turn around and go back.

“We have also got some roadworks at Horseshoe Common. It is just crazy. The council have got this idea to do all these works - which we pay for - and we are the ones suffering for it. The whole town is on red this morning with people trying to find their way into work. We haven’t even hit the summer season yet.”

Emergency works had to be carried out at Exeter Road after part of the carriageway collapsed on Tuesday. Police closed the road temporarily while waiting for Highways to attend. It should have re-opened at 5am today.

Works enabling pedestrians and cyclists to cross the roads in the Square to the gardens started at the end of last month at a cost of £70,000. A 20mph limit will be introduced from Avenue Road at the library to Bourne Avenue near the tennis courts, extending just passed the junction with St Stephen’s Road and Braidley Road. There will be a raised zebra crossing outside Tesco Metro. Resurfacing works at Horseshoe Common started in April after the surface bricks at the controversial shared space deteriorated much earlier than expected.

Jamie Griffiths, Traffic Manager, said: “Keeping the town moving is a top priority for the council and we are working closely with the contractors to ensure all major road improvements are completed as soon as possible. In addition to the council’s improvements, a number of works are also carried out by private developers and utility companies. As a council we have limited power to prevent these works, however we do co-ordinate all road works within the borough to keep disruption for the travelling public to a minimum.”

“Bournemouth Council is always looking for opportunities to improve and maintain our highway infrastructure so we can provide local residents and businesses with a road network fit for the future.”