TRAFFIC at Matchams Lane has increased by nearly 90 per cent over the last two years.

In the 18 months preceding the Spur Road rebuild, and the nine months since the works started, the rural road which runs alongside and over the A338 has seen a huge rise in vehicles.

It is the largest increase in vehicle numbers on Dorset roads during that time, jumping from 3,700 in March 2014, to 6,650 in September 2015.

In February 2016, 7,000 vehicles were recorded - a rise of 89.19 per cent from 2014.

The second highest road is the B3347 at Winkton, which has seen a 16 per cent rise in traffic from October 2014 to February 2016; and the third highest is New Road at West Parley, which saw vehicle numbers rise by 14.36 per cent from June 2014 to February 2016.

These statistics recorded vehicles travelling between 7am-7pm, Monday to Sunday.

The Spur Road itself has seen a 16.63 per cent drop in vehicle numbers, from October 2014-February 2016.

Tim Collins, senior traffic safety and control officer for the scheme, said: “Planning for the Spur Road started in late 2014, and detailed planning and layouts started early 2015.

“There has also been a long history of correspondence and meetings with affected parties - emergency services, Highways England etc - so we have been able to plan and manage comments and suggestions.

“This has resulted in reduced disruption to the travelling public and safe and rapid methods for dealing with incidents. Due to this, it has meant that the scheme has been easier to manage than most which have less planning and forethought.”

The roadworks have seen more than 11,000 days of works accrued, and road workers have worked somewhere in the region of 190-200 nights, from Monday to Friday, including some Saturday and Sunday nights, Dorset County Council said. Over 64,000 cones, studs, cylinders and signs have been used to manage traffic in and around the scheme.

Cllr Peter Finney, cabinet member for environment, said: “We’re extremely proud of this scheme’s green credentials and it shows how a modern road construction project can mitigate its effect on the environment.”

The new road is expected to last between 15 to 20 years before the top surface will need to be replaced. The road structure’s life span is expected to be 40 years.