A road closure in Poole that was to have been in place throughout the entire Olympics, has been cut by seven days.

Borough of Poole had agreed that a section of the A349 at the top of Gravel Hill, leading to the A31 Wimborne by-pass should be shut to traffic for 21 days in the summer to allow the free passage of vehicles to the sailing events at Weymouth and Portland.

However following three drop-in sessions between the Olympic Delivery Authority and residents and businesses, this has now been modified.

A spokesman for the ODA said: “As a result of these meetings and the feedback received, the ODA has agreed to reduce the number of days this closure is in place from 21 to 14, amending the Paralympic Route Network to remove all restrictions at Merley.

“This decision takes into account the inconvenience that could be caused to local residents and businesses, as it coincides with the end of the historically less busy summer holiday period.

“To further help businesses, the ODA has also agreed that the A31 will be accessible to and from Merley House Lane in both directions while the Olympic Route Network is operational.”

This means that the road closure will operate from July 27 to August 12 during the Olympics but not during the Paralympics which run from August 29 to September 9.