MOTORISTS who decided to turn their cars around and drive the wrong way on A338 Spur Road sliproads to avoid a closure in place following a fatal crash "put yourselves and others at risk".

A Dorset Police inspector has slammed the behaviour which was witnessed on Sunday afternoon while emergency services responded to a crash involving a pedestrian and a petrol tanker.

As reported, the pedestrian, a man in his 30s, was pronounced dead at the scene following the collision shortly before 6.30am. His next of kin have been informed. The lorry driver was uninjured.

The northbound carriageway of the A338 Spur Road was closed for most of the day following the incident between the Avon Causeway and Ashley Heath.

A force spokeswoman said police received a report at 2.23pm on July 25 that people were doing U-turns and travelling the wrong way up slip roads to avoid the closure.

Officers on the scene already responding to the fatal crash dealt with the situation.

Inspector Craig Tatton, of the traffic unit, said: “We are acutely aware of the challenges caused to motorists when we are forced to close our busiest routes and we only do so when it is absolutely necessary to provide emergency treatment to injured people and investigate the most serious collisions.

"On those occasions we constantly review the situation and work with our partners from the local authority to ensure suitable diversions are put in place.

"We know it is frustrating and sadly this occasionally leads to a small number of drivers making poor decisions in a bid to avoid congestion.

"We would urge those people to be patient, we will get you moving as soon as possible.

"Please don’t create a bigger problem by trying to avoid a problem. It simply puts even more strain on our already stretched resources and you put yourselves and others at risk.”