Plans for four major road schemes around Bournemouth Airport and the A338 have been welcomed by business leaders, health bosses and councillors.

As reported on Friday, the proposals include a new link road from the A338 Spur Road to Royal Bournemouth Hospital, more lanes at the Blackwater Junction and a new Hurn roundabout.

The aim is to provide better access to Bournemouth Airport and unlock employment land at Aviation Business Park and at Bournemouth’s Wessex Fields.

Paul Knight, managing director of Bournemouth Airport said: "The roads around the airport have become increasingly busy over the past few years.

"We welcome these schemes which will reduce congestion and improve access for passengers travelling to and from the airport, as well as everyone working on the Aviation Business Park."

Work at Blackwater Junction and Hurn Roundabout are set to start in September 2017 - with work on the Wessex Fields Junction, which will include a second access road to Royal Bournemouth Hospital set to start in Spring 2019.

RBCH estates manager Edwin Davies said: “A new junction would significantly improve vehicle access to RBH, ensuring our patients and hardworking staff would not have to endure delays accessing or leaving the site, particularly during peak periods in the afternoon.

"The junction will also help to alleviate congestion that occurs on the RBH site sporadically as a result of road works and traffic incidents on the main roads around the hospital.”

Ian Girling, chief executive of the Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has also welcomed the proposals.

He said: "Improving the transport road infrastructure is absolutely essential in Dorset.

"Congestion and traffic is one of the main business concerns across the conurbation and is currently a massive barrier for businesses in the area.

"If people want to get from Bournemouth to Christchurch, or over to Poole it can be a real problem and our whole road network just feels like it is at breaking point.

"It only takes one accident in the morning to cause absolute gridlock so these improvements should make a real difference.

"Clearly there's short term pain with roadworks but it's really important to look long term with infrastructure that will be fit for future and will support growth in the local economy."

Meanwhile Dorset County and Christchurch Borough councillor Margaret Phipps, who represents the Hurn ward, said work to improve Blackwater Junction was something the local community had been fighting for.

"The issues at Blackwater Junction are the main cause of any congestion through Hurn," she added.

"Hopefully these plans for the junction will allow traffic to more through that area much quicker.

"The problem with Blackwater is the slip road off the A338 on the north side of the carriageway is quite short.

"To prevent traffic queuing on the Spur Road on the approach to the junction the lights are set to prioritise the traffic coming off the A338.

"Unfortunately this causes huge traffic problems for people coming from Hurn with traffic queued all the way up to Parley Lane most mornings."