MOTORISTS are facing nine months of misery on the A338 after roadworks began yesterday.

Drivers reported delays of around 90 minutes throughout the morning as a result of the works. At lunchtime, there were still hour-long queues between the A31 and Blackwater Junction.


Furious drivers told the Daily Echo no one was visibly working in the carriageway during the morning.

​Bournemouth Echo:

Today, Wednesday, delays have returned, with massive congestion on alternative routes including B3347 Stony Lane, Parley Cross, New Road, Christchurch Road, Avon Causeway, Matchams Lane, Barrack Road and Castle Lane.

Now a business leader has called for council officials to "get around a table" and find a way to manage the work more effectively.

Paul Kinvig, chief operating officer of the Bournemouth Town Centre BID, said it took an hour and 45 minutes for him to drive between Ferndown and Blackwater.

"Day one is always the worst, so I'm hopeful that it won't always be this bad," he said.

"The work has got to be done - it's not cosmetic, and it'll help keep people safe. The challenge, I think, is balancing the necessity of that work with the situation for motorists.

"Christmas is massive for Bournemouth. It's a game-changer.

"I'd be concerned about these roadworks and how that could affect such a big time of year for the conurbation.

Bournemouth Echo:

"Those behind this work really need to get around a table and find some way of alleviating the impact this has had."

Mr Kinvig said productivity in Bournemouth was likely to have taken a hit as a result of the delays.

"When you think about how many people would have been late for work, that will have had a big impact on businesses," he said.

"If you add that time up, it'd be very telling."

Councillor Nigel Hedges, Bournemouth's business champion, said the A338 is the town's "main artery".

"This work is obviously essential, as miserable as it is for drivers," he said.

"People have a right to be able to travel safely on our roads.

"It's a short-term pain, although of course it's causing considerable inconvenience to our residents, visitors and businesses."

One lane was closed north of Blackwater towards the Cooper Dean roundabout yesterday. A 40 mile per hour speed limit was also in place.


The slip onto the A338 will be extended for around 700 metres to improve safety for joining traffic.

The work is funded by a £20 million investment into improvements along the A338 and B3073 corridors.

Drivers spoke of their frustration at the delays.

Sheena Ogilvy told of three-hour queues from the Ashley Heath roundabout to the roadworks.

"Whose incompetence caused this chaos? It's a total shambles," she said.

"How will people get to the hospital?

"I had to give up. A total dysfunctional disaster."

One driver who spent 67 minutes travelling from the A31 to the 'welcome to Bournemouth' sign said: "It's not good enough."

Another attempted to use Matchams but had "no luck" and was forced to divert through Ferndown and Longham.

"As always, it was a complete shambles," she said.

"I live in Alderholt and work in Bournemouth and nine months of this is going to be hell."

Wendy Kirman said: "It took me an hour and 45 minutes to get from Ringwood to Winton this morning - it's usually a 20 minute journey.

"I've just read it's nine months of roadworks - this is my worst nightmare."