ROADWORKS in Bournemouth and Poole are slowing traffic to a crawl for much of the day, drivers say.

During busy times, the journey between the two town centres – a distance of just over five miles – takes around 45 minutes.

Engineers are currently working at scores of sites across the conurbation.

In particular, long delays have been reported around Penn Hill due to a lane closure at the turning for Lindsay Road.

The closure will be in place for another month. It will allow company Gas Transportation Co Ltd to install a connection.

Across both towns, there are roadworks listed as 'expected to cause delays' for:

  • Parkstone Road, Poole between the tennis court and the roundabout for the Civic Centre. Works to end March 2020
  • A350 Holes Bay Road. Works to finish this Sunday, October 6
  • A35 Commercial Road, Poole near The Gate of India restaurant and The Ox. Works to finish on Tuesday, October 8
  • Sandecotes Road, Poole near St Luke’s Church. Works to finish on October 30
  • Alum Chine Road at the junction with Alum Chine Road. Works to finish on Wednesday, October 9
  • Surrey Road at the junction with Prince of Wales Road. Works to finish on Monday, October 7
  • Commercial Road at the junction with Mannington Road in Poole Hill, Bournemouth town centre. Works to finish on December 20 and buses are being diverted around the Triangle
  • Oxford Road off the Lansdowne roundabout, Bournemouth. Works to finish on Thursday, October 10
  • Holdenhurst Road, Bournemouth by Halfords. Works to finish on October 14
  • Browning Avenue, Boscombe by Little Pickle Deli Cafe. Work to finish on December 20
  • A35 Christchurch Road, Boscombe to Pokesdown. Works to finish December 13
  • Wallisdown Road. Works to finish on December 16

Most of the roadworks are being carried out by utilities companies including SGN, which is responsible for the works at Alum Chine, as well as those in Pokesdown.

BCP Council is considering a scheme to introduce permits for any company wishing to undertake work. Under the planned permit system, utility companies would no longer be able to only notify the council of works, and instead have to arrange times.

Richard Pincroft, BCP Council’s transportation manager, said: “We appreciate that road works can be frustrating. However, we have a duty to ensure our roads remain safe and are well maintained.

“We are taking positive action to address the issue of congestion by placing a greater emphasis on sustainable transport options within our future plans for the area.

“This will ultimately help to reduce the number of local journeys made by car and encourage more people to walk, cycle or take the bus.

"In addition plans will be considered by BCP Council’s cabinet next week for a local 'street works permit' scheme.

"This scheme will give us better control over the coordination, management and planning of street works carried out by utilities company’s across all our key routes.

"It will also give us greater power in holding those who carry out the works on our highways to account if they run over on time.’’