FINALLY some good news for beleaguered motorists in the conurbation.

Bournemouth Water, which is set to start works on Barrack Road, Christchurch, next week, has performed a u-turn on plans that would have caused misery for thousands of motorists - and had significant impacts on journey times for ambulances, patients and staff at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital.

The Echo understands hospital chiefs had raised serious concerns about the five day roadworks, starting on Monday, citing potential traffic delays of up to two hours for outpatients, including patients who have had surgery or chemotherapy.

Worries had mounted over the Barrack Road works, which initially included plans to set up two way traffic lights and a closure of the Jumpers Road/Barrack Road junction. However, after concerns were raised by hospital chiefs and civic officials, Bournemouth Water says it has now come up with a traffic management solution that does NOT require two-way lights nor any closure of Jumpers Road. Instead, two-way traffic will be maintained through the works zone, which will have a 20mph limit in place.

Christchurch Borough Council member Cllr Lesley Dedman, who is also a county councillor, said: “I am very happy Dorset County Council has been able to impress upon the water board the impact these lights would have had, and they were able to change their plans.”

Thousands of motorists have already battled through two-weeks of lengthy traffic queues in the same area during the Tuckton roundabout scheme, which saw the closure of Tuckton Bridge from the end of March.

Patients and hospital workers struggled all the way along Castle Lane East and surrounding roads.

A Bournemouth Hospital spokesman said: “Roadworks close to the Royal Bournemouth Hospital can have a severe impact on our patients, visitors, staff and ambulance colleagues with lengthy delays leaving our site.

“We’re really pleased our concerns about the upcoming Barrack Road works were heard and hope the planned changes will have a minimal impact on our patients and staff.”