THE worst of the traffic jams on a congested Bournemouth road will be over in three weeks, it is hoped.

Kinson Road on the approach to Wallisdown is being dug up as part of a 12-week programme to replace gas pipes.

The work got underway on Monday and there have been lengthy queues in rush-hour.

Wallisdown and Winton West councillor Susan Phillips said the whole programme should be over by December 18 but things should get better soon. She urged residents to be patient.

“They’re expecting the first three weeks will be the worst,” she said.

She said the work – which is costing Southern Gas Networks £460,000 – was essential to make sure the gas supply remained reliable through the winter.

“The work needs to be done and was probably delayed to accommodate the summer events that took place in Bournemouth,” she said.

“After a three-week period we’re expecting to have traffic lights to allow two-way movement.”

The roadworks would then begin moving along Kinson Road in the Kinson direction.

One driver said traffic had been severely delayed in the early days of the work.

“It’s causing a lot of congestion because it’s such a bad road coming up to Wallisdown Road from Kinson anyway,” he said.

After the initial three weeks of work, there will be six weeks of two-way traffic lights between Canford Avenue and Turbary Park Avenue.

Traffic plans for the final three weeks have not been finalised.

Southern Gas Networks has apologised for the disruption but said the work was necessary to ensure a safe and reliable gas supply.