A new traffic flow will be introduced on the Wessex Way to improve safety on the eastbound on-slip road from Richmond Hill.

A trial scheme to improve safety for drivers getting on the eastbound A338 was announced on Thursday.

Bournemouth Council announced via signs on the side of the dual carriageway that from Saturday morning traffic passing under the Richmond Hill flyover will be filtered into a single lane.

The changes will introduce a dedicated lane onto the dual-carriageway, which will see the eastbound nearside lane of the Wessex Way closed on approach to the interchanged, giving the traffic unopposed access to the carriageway.

Eastbound traffic already on the Wessex Way will be filtered into the offside lane only.

Work to implement the new lanes will take place on Friday night from 8pm until 6am on Saturday morning, when the scheme will come into force.

The council says 'capacity and traffic flow information indicates that this should not cause excess congestion'

Drivers are advised to take extra care and look out for the revised signing and lines.

Richard Pearson, Highway Design and Road Safety Manager for Bournemouth Council, said: "I am confident that this trial will significantly reduce the risk to drivers using the slip road. However, it is important to properly evaluate the impact on traffic flow on this key strategic route before we confirm the change."

A council spokesperson said the pilot scheme has been brought forward to improve the safety of motorists using the slip road from the Richmond Hill onto the A338, following a number of collisions in the past five years.

After three months of the temporary scheme, a decision will be made about whether to make the change permanent.

The works are weather-dependent as the revised road markings will need to be carried out in dry weather and temperatures above freezing.