MOTORISTS faced rush hour delays as roadworks started on one of the conurbation's key routes this morning.

Poole Road in Branksome was closed to traffic for resurfacing between the County Gates roundabout and Pottery Junction at John Lewis.

Access to local traffic is being maintained, but lengthy queues have built up on surrounding roads.

Traffic was particularly heavy along Lindsay Road, which runs parallel to Poole Road.

Bournemouth Echo:

Motorists are unable to cut through Tesco car park but access to businesses, including the Branksome Tesco Filling Station which remains fully open, is being maintained by workers.

Driver Peter Bennett told the Echo: "It is a bit confusing at County Gates because people are stopping to speak to workers to gain access and this causing traffic to bunch around the gyratory system there.

"It took me three times as usual to get to Poole from Bournemouth, but to be fair, traffic is a lot lighter on the roads at the moment anyway."

Bournemouth Echo:

Another motorist likened the amount of traffic along Lindsay Road, which is bearing the brunt of the diversion, to a normal morning rush-hour pre- coronavirus.

• Traffic chaos expected as around-the-clock roadworks get underway in Poole

Meanwhile, workers manning the electronic signage on Lindsay Road also told the Echo traffic had "not been too bad" so far.

BCP Council says teams will be working around the clock until the resurfacing work is completed – which is scheduled to be Friday.

Council officials also say the work will improve safety, reduce noise and protect against potholes.

Councillor Mike Greene, portfolio holder for transport and sustainability at BCP Council, said: “We understand the frustrations that such works can cause and for this reason we have put in place an accelerated programme that minimises disruption.

"We apologise for the inconvenience but we are excited to continue to invest in infrastructure that will benefit local residents, commuters and visitors for many years to come.”

• Delays expected as works on traffic lights begins

The work will be carried out in a series of phased road closures with no access for through traffic for the duration of the project.

Different diversions will be put in place for local traffic for each phase of the works. If weather conditions are poor, the works will be moved to December 1-4.

Bournemouth Echo:

The first phase, from 7am on Tuesday, Novermber 24, will cover Bourne Valley Road to St Aldhelm’s Road for a 24-hour period. Diversion: County Gates Gyratory, Lindsay Road, St Aldhelm’s Road, Poole Road. Local diversions will be available for residents via Eagle Road and Princess Road.

Phase two will cover St Aldhelm’s Road to Cromer Road from 7am, Wednesday November 25 to 6am, Thursday November 26. Diversion: County Gates Gyratory, Lindsay Road, Leicester Road, Penn Hill Avenue, St Osmunds Road, Bournemouth Road.

Phase three will be from Cromer Road to Branksome Parade from 7am, Thursday November 26 to 6am, Friday November 27. Diversion: Bournemouth Road, St Osmunds Road, Penn Hill Avenue, Leicester Road, Lindsay Road, County Gates Gyratory. Additional temporary diversions may be required during the same works period to adjust traffic signals at Bourne Valley Road (off-peak hours).