TRAFFIC was slow on the A338 Spur Road after a three-vehicle crash on the southbound carriageway.

Police and ambulance were called to the scene of the collision, just south of Blackwater Junction at around 3pm.

A blue Volvo estate was facing the wrong way on the carriageway as a result of the crash. It was left badly damaged and needed to be recovered.

A red Citroen C4 car and a white Citroen C5 Picasso taxi were also involved in the collision – but were not believed to have been damaged.

There was also damage to the crash barrier, which the local authority has been informed of. Police blocked the inside lane of the carriageway to deal with the incident and, as a result, traffic was backed up to the Avon Causeway bridge.

There were minor delays at the junction towards Hurn and Christchurch as well.

The road re-opened at around 4pm.