MOTORISTS have been warned to expect delays when a number of Poole road closures coincide next month.

Major traffic light replacement work, scheduled to last up to 12 weeks, starts at Cabot Lane, Waterloo Road, and Hatch Pond Road in February.

Meanwhile, a trio of other road closures and traffic restrictions will be implemented on Poole's roads later that month - with all three starting the same day.

Borough of Poole traffic manager Richard Pinnegar said: "These three road closures have been separately applied for by Wessex Water for essential gas or sewer works.

"We have checked to ensure that these closures do not conflict with any other work and activity on the surrounding roads."

While the Cabot Lane project continues, eastbound traffic will be barred from turning left into Waterloo Road from Cabot Lane; westbound Hatch Pond Road traffic will only be able to turn left into Waterloo Road, and Waterloo Road traffic will be unable to turn right into Hatch Pond Road or Cabot Lane.

Waterloo Road traffic will also be barred from turning left into Hatch Pond Road for around three weeks from the project's February 1 start date.

Mr Pinnegar said: "We appreciate that these improvements will cause some disruption and we apologise in advance to those local residents and road users who may be affected.”

Then a fortnight later, on Monday, February 15, Courthill Road will close at its junction with Richmond Road for four days of gas mains work.

On the same day, one lane of the busy Dorset Way will close - from its junction with Nuffield Road to the slip road onto the dual carriageway - while sewer relining work gets underway.

Borough of Poole (BOP) says this lane closure and 30mph speed restriction, from the Fleetsbridge roundabout to the Dorset Way slip road, could remain in place until as late as March 4.

A BOP spokesman said: "If the works are not completed within the statutory period the order may be extended with the approval of the Secretary of State for Transport.

"Any person who uses or permits the use of a vehicle in contravention of the order will be liable on summary conviction of a fine not exceeding £400."

Separate sewer works are also timetabled for a four day period, starting Monday, February 15, at Poole's Brailswood Road. This means a temporary closure on Brailswood Road at its junction with Fernside Road.