ENGINEERING works which will close Poole's Gravel Hill for four months are set to start this morning.

Thousands of motorists will be affected during the closure of what is one of Poole's busiest commuter routes.

Workers were set to close the road to traffic at 10pm last night, with work starting today.

The work is being carried out to widen the footway, improve the Gravel Hill and Queen's Anne Drive junction and strengthen the embankment.

Borough of Poole (BOP) transportation head Julian McLaughlin said: "We appreciate this closure will inevitably cause some unavoidable disruption to road users and we have taken every opportunity to minimise the impact this will have on people.

"Where possible we would encourage drivers to start thinking about the steps they can take, including allowing extra time for their journeys or using alternative routes."

The £3.9 million project is part of a wider £23.3 million Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership scheme, being carried out to improve the corridor from Poole's port to the A31.