THE countdown to the start of the £22million Spur Road rebuild is finally over – with motorists braced for significant delays in and out of Bournemouth today.

Contractors were set to begin this major roadworks project – scheduled to last up to nine months – on a stretch of the A338 between Ashley Heath and Blackwater this morning.

The dual carriageway should have been reduced to one lane in each direction from 6am.

Dorset County Council (DCC) environment member Cllr Peter Finney warned: “We know that the first day, and even the first few weeks, will be the most difficult while drivers find their new routine.

“The best way to get to your destination on time is to think carefully about the time you’re travelling, the route you’re taking or changing your mode of transport.

“At the very least you should allow plenty of extra time for your journey.”

Preparation work has been underway since January to get as much done as possible before the heavy machinery moves in.

The work will intensify over the next fortnight as areas previously inaccessible due to traffic can now be worked on safely.

Work during the first two weeks will focus on removing any remaining trees and installing traffic management, speed cameras and CCTV. The site compound will also be prepared with a new access road built for it.

Cllr Finney said: “The compound will become an intrinsic part of the operation – where all the material will be recycled on site and prepared for reuse – and the stretch of resurfacing we’re doing is also essential to ensure the smooth running of the contraflow, helping the failing road to last a few more months before we rebuild it.”

The overall rebuild will affect a five-mile stretch of road between the Ashley Heath roundabout and the Blackwater junction and will see one side of the dual carriageway closed and rebuilt, while the other side is used as a contraflow with a 40mph speed limit.

Last night, a rolling lane closure was due to be in place and tonight the Blackwater southbound on-slip will be shut from 8pm for several hours for CCTV installation.

On Friday, there is due to be an overnight full road closure of the A338 from Cooper Dean to Blackwater – 8pm to 6am – the council said.

Engineers will also close the northbound carriageway overnight on September 18 and 19, from 8pm to 6am, and a full road closure will be implemented on September 20, from 8pm to 6am.

From Monday, September 21, the contraflow will be in place on the northbound carriageway.

Visit dorsetforyou.com/bournemouth-spur-road for more information.