Slowdown lowdown: spur road works could go on to New Year (From Bournemouth Echo)

Slowdown lowdown: spur road works could go on to New Year

8:00am Wednesday 11th November 2009

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A SECOND day of traffic chaos gripped one of Dorset’s busiest routes and clogged up all alternative routes as motorists tried to get out of the jams.

Drivers are being warned that the work on the A338 Spur Road in Bournemouth could go on until the New Year.

Help us map the delays and traffic hotspots

Follow the link at the bottom of the story

The Spur Road is down to one lane in places as Dorset County Council starts work to clear scrub vegetation and some trees, put up reptile fencing and carry out detailed surveys ahead of building a new road surface in autumn 2010.

Click to see Google map of roadwork chaos

Yesterday, hundreds were again late for work as rush-hour traffic was solid from Verwood, clogged up at Avon Causeway and Matchams Lane, and the A35 from Lyndhurst in the New Forest.

Frustrated drivers said drive times had doubled, and several cars overheated and ended up on the hard shoulder.

David Diaz, the Dorset County Council project manager, said he hadn’t yet had any complaints.

But he said that problems were “inevitable” while work takes place between Blackwater junction and Ashley Heath on each side of the carriageway, in 500-metre sections at a time.

“I feel it’s inevitable with this stretch of road – whether you are doing works, whether a car or a bus has broken down, it does cause severe tailbacks,” he said.

“We only ask people to be patient and allow extra journey time. I will ask the contractors to monitor what is happening with traffic levels.”

Mr Diaz said work is ongoing only in daylight for the safety of workers using cutting equipment.

But by early next week they should have a clear picture of progress so far, and whether they can add further staff and work seven days.

Work to clear lizards, smooth snakes and other species from grass verges has more or less finished but an ecologist is still on hand to relocate any animals found during clearance works.

The South West Regional Assembly approved almost £26 million for the county council to rebuild the road surface next autumn, improve the drainage system and renew safety barriers along a 6.5-mile section.

* Drivers can give Dorset County Council feedback by calling 01305 221000 between 7am and 7pm.

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