THE closure of a key road in and out of the conurbation has been lifted.

Gas works being carried out on the A350 Poole Road by SGN were concluded on Sunday after the firm overcame tarmac supply issues.

Traffic lights remain in use on the road between Crumpets Drive and Castle Farm Road at Lytchett Matravers. The signals are required to allow for the resumption of work by Dorset County Council to repair a culvert in the area, which is a separate problem from the gas leak issue.

As reported by the Daily Echo, SGN had previously said their project could not be completed until tarmac plants in the area returned from their Christmas break. However, over the weekend the situation changed.

An SGN spokesperson said resources had been “pulled in from other areas” to ensure the road could reopen as soon as possible. The road had been closed in both directions since December 20.

Cllr Peter Webb, who represents Lytchett Matravers on Purbeck District Council, said: "I think everybody would agree that people travelling north-south to Poole and south-north have been inconvenienced."