TEMPORARY traffic lights will remain in place in Shore Road this weekend as thousands of people are anticipated to descend on Sandbanks for two big events. 

Sandpolo will be taking place this Friday and Saturday and SandFest, headlined by Clean Bandit, will be held on Sunday, July 10. 

Coupled with bright sunshine all weekend, Sandbanks and Shore Road is expected to be heavily congested with cars this weekend. 

Bournemouth Echo: Work should be finished in late JulyWork should be finished in late July

Read more: Everything you need to know about this year's Sandfest beach festival

Work in Shore Road was initially supposed to take two days to complete, but Wessex Water decided it was best to re-line a damaged water pipe. 

Work was hampered by thick concrete meaning the roadworks wouldn’t be complete until late July. 

During this weekend, Wessex Water plans to ease traffic flow with temporary traffic lights being manually controlled. 

Read more: Work in Shore Road, Poole to continue until late July

Bournemouth Echo: Shore Road leading to Haven RoadShore Road leading to Haven Road

A Wessex Water spokesman said: “Our damaged sewer in Shore Road has been successfully repaired and is back in use, so the next step is for the gas company to reconnect their mains this week. 

“We’re in regular contact with the organisers of Sandpolo and Sand Fest and have plans to ease traffic flow, with the temporary lights continuing to be manually controlled and extra signs on the approach to Shore Road. 

“Every effort will be made to be off site and have the traffic lights removed by late July. We’d like to thank residents and road users for their continued patience during this emergency work.” 

To alleviate congestion, Morebus is urging people to swap their cars for buses. 

Richard Wade, Morebus general manager, said: "We’ll be providing regular services throughout the weekend as per our regular summer timetable on Breezer 50 and Breezer 60, and this covers all the times people are likely to be visiting Sandpolo. 

“For Sandfest, there will be two additional dedicated service 50 buses just after 10pm on Sunday night to support the end of the event.

"Please follow the signs for buses to Westbourne and Bournemouth upon leaving the event to reach the secure loading area, which will be in a different location to the usual stop for Bournemouth bound buses. 

“Return tickets, day and period mobile app, The Key and paper tickets for zone A will be accepted as usual, or customers may purchase single tickets from the driver by contactless card or with cash.”