THE delayed improvement works to a busy roundabout near Bournemouth Airport have been completed.

Chapel Gate roundabout is the second scheme which has been delivered as part of the Bournemouth International Growth (BIG) Programme.

Through the project, Dorset County Council and strategic partner Hanson UK have introduced a dedicated left turn filter for westbound traffic from Hurn, an additional lane to give eastbound traffic better access to Aviation Business Park and new cycleway and footway links into Aviation Business Park to give commuters more travel options.

Overall, it is hoped the roundabout improvements – along with planned BIG Programme schemes at Hurn Roundabout and Parley Cross – will help to relieve congestion on the B3073.

The £1.7m work at Chapel Gate was aided by £45.2m of funding that was secured by Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership through the Local Growth Fund.

Jake Berry, minister for local growth, said: “It’s encouraging to see Local Growth Deal funding being invested in strategically important sites in Dorset.

"The improvements at Chapel Gate roundabout are a vital part of the Bournemouth International Growth Programme and will make a real difference to connectivity around Bournemouth Airport, helping create local jobs, growth and a stronger economy across the region.”

Work began at Chapel Gate on July 3, 2017.

Officers at Dorset County Council were left red-faced in December when they claimed the work had been completed ahead of schedule.

However within days the initial surfacing of the roundabout failed.

Work to remedy the issue was delayed for various reasons and was only recently completed at no cost to Dorset County Council or Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership.

Jim Stewart, chair of Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “We’re pleased to see the completion of the work at Chapel Gate roundabout.

"It forms a key part of the plans to improve flow along the B3073 corridor and is an important element of the BIG Programme’s transport ambition to unlock roads, relieve congestion and create better journeys for local businesses and people."