BOURNEMOUTH Council say they are looking at options to ease the traffic at Iford roundabout while work at Tuckton is taking place.

It comes as frustrations continue for motorists trying to navigate their way around Bournemouth and Christchurch during rush hour as a result of the roundabout works.

Yesterday, motorists were caught yet again in slow traffic around Iford roundabout, Royal Bournemouth Hospital and Castle Lane from early afternoon, with delays also on Barrack Road.

As well as the disruption the work has caused, some residents have raised complaints over not seeing many workers at the site, especially after 3pm.

However, when the Daily Echo visited the site on Thursday afternoon, more than a dozen people were working.

Volunteers have been directing traffic in and around Royal Bournemouth Hospital this week as a result of the traffic jams caused by the closure of Tuckton bridge.

The closure of the bridge is part of a project to revamp Tuckton roundabout and introduce new crossings at each junction, cycle lanes and a loading bay outside Tesco in Tuckton Road.

One road user said not enough urgency was in place over the works, which do not "justify the horrendous traffic problems to several parts of two towns."

Traffic has also been congested around the Avon Causeway this week, motorists have reported.

A spokesperson for Royal Bournemouth Hospital said Bournemouth Council told them they hoped to have improved the situation at Iford roundabout.

And today, they would be painting a sign at Deansleigh roundabout next to the hospital urging people not to block the road.

Gary Powell, Bournemouth council’s head of traffic management said: “The works have been planned for the Easter holidays to minimise the impact on traffic.

"We recognise that closing one of the main routes across the river out of the town is going to cause a certain amount of disruption. We apologise for any inconvenience and have issued travel warnings long in advance of this planned work.

"We’re currently looking at alternative options at Iford roundabout to ease congestion for traffic exiting from Castle Lane and cones are currently in place to help this.

"Operatives have been working every day from 7.30am till 5pm. Six of them working at 7.30am till 5pm with an additional four from 7.30am – 4pm.

"The work incorporates Wick Lane and the bridge side of Belle Vue Rd with everything currently running to programme. Seven operatives were working over the Easter weekend."