A JUNCTION notorious for causing rush hour congestion will be revamped thanks to a Government grant.

Bournemouth council has successfully bid for a grant of £2 million from the National Productivity Investment Fund, an overall £24 billion investment strategy launched in November last year.

The cash will be used to “improve” the Wallisdown Roundabout, a common route between Bournemouth and Poole along Wallisdown Road, and from the centre of the conurbation out to Ferndown via Alder Road and Kinson Road.

The junction, which has by single carriageway roads on all approaches, is often snarled up even outside rush hour times.

Philip Broadhead, deputy chair of Bournemouth West Conservative Association, said: “This is a welcome announcement which will have a positive outcome for local people, business and commuters.

"Wallisdown Road is a vital yet congested artery for both Bournemouth and Poole and important to Dorset as a whole.

"This important government funding, part of £45million of infrastructure investment in the South West, will bring much-needed improvements to our local road network, helping to increase capacity, ease congestion and improve safety.

"Furthermore, the connectivity improvements it offers to our conurbation will help to create jobs, boost economic development and support the delivery of new housing – all extremely important in ensuring we have a country that works for everyone.”

The cash is part of a £345.3m funding package specifically aimed at improving roads and public transport around the country.

The Wallisdown project is currently costed at £2.6m, although no details of the proposed changes have been released beyond “improving” the roundabout for all modes of transport.

Recent roundabout projects elsewhere in Bournemouth, including Iford and Tuckton, and Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership schemes out by Bournemouth Airport, have involved widening approach roads and building new crossings and cycle lanes.

Officers will be working on the scheme details and, subject to consultation work, on the ground is likely to start in 2018.