FUMING drivers endured massive rush hour tailbacks after a burst water main shut a vital Purbeck artery.

Police were forced to close the busy A351 at Sandford after the 14ins mains pipe burst on Wednesday evening.

Despite working through the night, Wessex Water engineers were still on scene on Thursday and the road remained closed in both directions until mid afternoon.

Local traffic was able to get into Sandford, but diversions were in place, via the A35, at Holton Heath and the B3075 Morden Road.

Drew Davies, manager of McColls, Sandford, told the Daily Echo it had taken him one hour to travel to work along the B3075, a journey normally taking five minutes.

Other drivers reported journey times of two hours from Wareham to Bournemouth.

Mr Davies said: “We have probably lost 50 per cent of our trade today – it’s been as dead as a doornail in Sandford.

“It was ridiculous getting in this morning.”

Wessex Water reopened the A351 at 3pm yesterday, but drivers can expect further delays as temporary traffic lights will remain in place until at least Saturday to enable the road surface to be repaired.

The road was closed between the Holton Heath traffic lights and Sandford Middle School after the pipe burst just before midnight.

Water flooded the road and sandbags were brought in as the water was rising above the kerb and in danger of flooding four houses.

The main was shut off by 1.20am by Wessex Water.

A company spokesman said: “Wessex Water quickly isolated the water main and was able to supply customers with water from another part of its water supply network which meant customers were not without water.”