ROADWORKS in central Bournemouth have been causing tailbacks this morning.

Work on Richmond Hill is now seeing the road skimmed ahead of resurfacing in the next few days.

It means that traffic will continue to take turns to go up and down the hill.

This morning, traffic has been queuing down St Stephen’s Road and as far back as the town hall, back along Wimborne Road towards Charminster and back onto the Wessex Way towards the St Paul’s Roundabout.

The problem, said workmen on the site, was being exacerbated by drivers jumping the red lights, which resets the system and turns both lights to red.

Workmen are removing the old road surface today and resurfacing over the next two days.

At 9.20am the queues were starting to ease.

Bournemouth council's Head of Transportation Services, Ian Kalra, said: “The works at Richmond Hill form part of the Council’s commitment to improve road safety for those travelling in this part of the town.

“The works have been carefully planned to keep traffic moving and today’s congestion was caused by factors outside of the work programme. Unfortunately during this morning’s rush hour some motorists passed through the temporary traffic lights when on red which added to the delays experienced. In addition to this a vehicle broke down on the slip road which increased the build up of traffic on the approach to Richmond Hill.   

“The use of temporary traffic lights enables the Council to keep the road open whilst we carry out these improvements.  We would like to remind motorists that these are in place for the safety of all road users and would ask people to bear with us whilst we complete these improvements.” 

Read about Richmond Hill improvement scheme here