A KEY commuter route closed to traffic this morning for three weeks, with business fearing major disruption and impact on trade.

A section of the A347 New Road in West Parley will be shut for three weeks, with further repair work to go on until July.

The closure is expected to cause major disruption, with traffic from Bournemouth forced to make lengthy diversions either through Longham or the Spur Road.

However during rush-hour on the evening of the first day of the works, vehicles were slow-moving but not gridlocked around Bear Cross Roundabout, Ringwood Road and Wimborne Road through Kinson.

Business owners in the Parley Cross area are also fearful of the effect the closure will have on their trade.

Cllr Ron Whittaker, who represents Throop and Muscliff, said he had been assured there would be free-flowing two-way traffic on Castle Lane West by the time the closure takes effect.

He said: “Many are already dreading Monday and the following three weeks when New Road is closed.

“To have the only main artery from Bournemouth closed for three weeks is going to cause enormous traffic problems in Northbourne, Kinson and that side of Bournemouth.”

The closure will be from below Parley Cross to Ensbury Bridge. Pedestrian access will be maintained and Parley Cross businesses will be accessible from the crossroads.

Andrew Martin, Dorset County Council’s head of highways, said: “Although this work is weather dependant, we are confident that we will be able to complete the work in three weeks.

“By recycling the material we have cut the time the road has to be closed and it is also a cheaper, more efficient way to reconstruct the damaged structure.

“We will work with residents affected by this closure, checking that access is available when it’s needed.”