COUNTY council officials are remaining tight-lipped over the A338 roadworks which have been described as a “complete shambles”.

Despite coming under heavy criticism for the management of the roadworks, less than two weeks into the nine-month programme, Dorset County Council, which is carrying out the Spur Road works, has yet to publicly respond to residents’ criticism.

Bournemouth West MP Conor Burns has written to the council’s leader, Rebecca Knox, calling for a review of the work programme, however Cllr Knox has yet to respond to his request.

An additional lane is being built on the A338 between Blackwater junction and the Cooper Dean roundabout as part of the £20m Bournemouth International Growth programme aimed at “improving journey times”.

However, motorists have reported delays of several hours in getting through at peak times and businesses have warned about the potential impact.

The latest phase of the works has been arranged by Dorset County Council with support from Bournemouth council and started last Monday.

The lane closure has been reduced in length this week and now starts after the Blackwater junction, slightly reducing congestion.

Tony Brown, the chief executive of Beales, said: “Common sense has prevailed, they have removed most of the cones and now we have two lanes all the way down to Blackwater which allows the Hurn traffic to exit before the single lane starts.

“However, it still took 40 minutes at 7.30am to get through.”

The longer closure will be reinstated in the coming weeks as part of the nine-month programme of works.

A petition launched by a frustrated commuter calling for a review of the roadworks has been signed more than 2,000 times.

And their concerns have been echoed by Conor Burns MP who has written to Dorset County Council urging a rethink of the plans to reduce further disruption.

He said: “Since the start of the works on the Spur Road into Bournemouth I have been overwhelmed by the number of my constituents who have contacted me expressing genuine frustration, concern and anger at the impact the organisation of the works are having on their lives, jobs and businesses.”

He called for a review into the works programme to “reduce the appalling delays” created by the lane closure.

Dorset County Council said that it would be unable to respond to Mr Burns’ letter until today (Tuesday).