BOURNEMOUTH East MP Tobias Ellwood believes residents living close to the A338 works would remain 'stoic' if a decision was taken to work through the night.

Beleaguered motorists have called for work to be stepped-up on the Spur Road project, with shifts scheduled 24-hours-a-day.

However, Bournemouth Council has already said round-the-clock work will not take place, as the floodlights necessary would cause "discomfort to residents."

Now Mr Ellwood said: "In all these situations I think close-by residents take a more stoic position and just want the work to get done.

"I think most would be content to put up with some lights for a few days for the wider social benefit, the nearest dwelling is a couple of hundred metres away."

Mr Ellwood also thinks it would be the noise that would prove more detrimental, not the use of lights.

He added: "If my mailbox is anything to go by, residents recognise the work needs to be done but want the council to get on with it and get it done as quickly as possible."

Drivers have reported delays of up to an hour-and-three-quarters since the roadworks, which are scheduled for nine-months, started early September.

The nearest homes to the roadworks are at Holdenhurst Village and Blackwater.

One resident told the Echo: "They did use spotlights for a while when these works started, and it was really quite disruptive to be honest - I got hardly any sleep.The light comes straight through the trees and illuminates everything.

"Also, they were using noisy equipment. I can't really see how you can do roadworks quietly, so it would be very disruptive for those who live nearby."

Driver Jennifer Zimmer, from West Moors, said: "I had the misfortune of having to use the A338 Spur Road on Monday morning.

"Along with hundreds of other drivers it took over an hour to reach the Cooper Dean junction from the Ringwood Roundabout.

"On driving through the roadworks at Blackwater Junction it was obvious that no one was on site at 9.20am.

"Returning through the roadworks, 25 minutes later, one vehicle was parked in the works area with doors open -still no sign of human activity.

"We, the council tax payers, are footing the bill for this total and utter incompetence all of the time."

Meanwhile, motorists on the other side of the conurbation were also braced for delays yesterday, as a nine-month project at Poole's Hunger Hill finally got underway.

The £11.7m scheme will see the layout of the junction completely redesigned and traffic flow on West Quay Road and West Street changed.

New crossings will also be installed for pedestrians and cyclists.

The project is supposed to support future development in Townside where 5,000 new homes will be built

Initially work will start by Asda and West Quay Road with the removal of the central reserve and traffic islands.

Yesterday, traffic moved reasonably quickly through Hunger Hill, but delays are expected as the project gathers pace.