DRIVERS faced a third morning of delays on the conurbation's road this morning, as council officials carried out another traffic census on a main rush-hour route.

Motorists travelling along Blandford Road, Hamworthy, Poole, were caught up by the census, which is being completed by Dorset County Council, they say, in a bid to gain vital evidence to support bids for government grants.

Last week furious motorists blasted these same council officials after hundreds of people - including students due to take exams - were caught up in delays caused by the census in Bournemouth.

On that occasion it took drivers more than half-an-hour to get from Bearwood to Redhill, with hundreds of people late for work and appointments.

It remains unclear exactly what the knock-on effect of the Blandford Road census has been, although it doesn't appear to have been as disruptive as last week.

A Dorset County Council spokesman told the Daily Echo: "We can confirm we are undertaking a census survey at Blandford Road, Hamworthy, today.

"It is one of a number taking place over four days in May and June. We apologise for any inconvenience caused but the information we are collecting is vital evidence about demand on our infrastructure and will help us in bidding for more money from central government."