FUMING motorists, who were forced to endure FOUR hour queues after a minor traffic accident involving a trailer carrying a portable toilet, have described the recovery response as farcical.

The accident which closed one lane of the packed A338 throughout Tuesday evening's rush-hour happened when a Land Rover, pulling the trailer, jackknifed.

However, the delays were compounded after the initial recovery vehicle - called by the Land Rover driver - was deemed unsuitable.

Then, when police finally arranged recovery - more than an hour and ten minutes after the collision was first reported - the specialist recovery vehicles had to travel from Piddlehinton, 30 miles from the crash scene.

Drivers also reported that while recovery finally took place, the portable toilet fell from one of these recovery vehicles, spilling its contents onto the carriageway and causing more mess.

The single vehicle accident, which caused no injuries, prompted traffic chaos across the conurbation.

Delays reported by Daily Echo readers included:

  • Four hour delays just getting out of the Royal Bournemouth Hospital car park.
  • Journey times from Upton to Poole taking more than an hour-and-a-half.
  • Almost an hour to travel from St Paul's Roundabout to the Cooper Dean.
  • An hour-and-a-half to travel from Milton to Moordown.
  • Journey times from Castlepoint to neighbouring Redhill taking one hour.

Many drivers caught up on the A338 blasted rubberneckers who slowed down on the opposite southbound carriageway, adding to the delays, to watch and take footage on their mobile phones.

Indeed, Dorset traffic police have since tweeted: "If you drove past filming us on your mobile phone whilst driving, please check your post. We'll be in touch."

The company whose vehicle was involved in the accident declined to comment when contacted by the Daily Echo.

Meanwhile, Sergeant Craig Tatton, of the traffic unit, explained: "Unless there is a clear investigative reason such as a serious road traffic collision, where possible we will try to allow people to facilitate their own recovery and are guided by the individuals involved as to whether they have appropriate measure in place.

"However, where it becomes apparent that it is going to be a lengthy or complex recovery operation we will arrange recovery for them."

In this instance, said Sgt Tatton, the collision was first reported around 3.15pm, and when officers attended they were told the driver was arranging recovery of the trailer.

"At 4.26pm it became apparent that the recovery service arranged was not sufficient and we arranged for appropriate resources to attend," said Sgt Tatton. "Specialist recovery vehicles had to attend from Piddlehinton and work then took place to recover the trailer and clear the scene.

"We would like to thank members of the public for their patience during the delays caused by this incident."

Clive Legg took an hour-and-a-half just to drive the 11 miles from Milton to Moordown. "That is in the opposite direction to the hold up," he said. "Rubberneckers making a minor accident into a hold up."

Matthew Jones said: "This is the problem in only having one major road in and out of town."

Trevor Catt took one-and-a-half hours to travel 16 miles.

"Shows how incompetent the authorities are," he said

Sarah Brailey was held up in the Royal Bournemouth Hospital car park for three hours. At 7.55pm she said: "Total gridlock as no one will let us join the queue. My husband has just driven along Castle Lane and it was OK.

"Absolute nightmare. Apparently someone has called the police to asked for help but they 'don't want to know'."

Crispen Nelmes said: "Sat in it for two hours, the actual trailer was on the verge not actually causing any disruption. Surely they could have left it there and recovery could have happened after rush-hour and not in the steaming heat."

Sharlene Ware said: "Two hours to get home because of a poxy trailer. Really?"