THERE were queues on the A338 Wessex Way today as major roadworks began.

Traffic queued towards Bournemouth West Roundabout as a new diversion was introduced on the A338.

Traffic wanting to join the eastbound Wessex Way has been diverted westbound from Richmond Hill to Bournemouth West roundabout, where drivers can do a U-turn and join vehicles heading east.

The three weeks of roadworks are taking place between Richmond Hill and the Bournemouth West roundabouts from today (Monday, November 14).

The work, which cost £250,000, involves the construction of two crossover points through the central reservation.

This has been funded through a capital grant from central government and could be used for all future maintenance along the stretch of the A338 in Bournemouth.

The new crossover points will create a break in the reservation that enables traffic to drive across a smooth surface and be switched onto the other carriageway when required.

BCP Council said it is to “enable future maintenance works” on the Braidley Road Overbridge.

The council said planned future maintenance works to the Braidley Road Overbridge will be supported by this arrangement, with the resulting traffic management allowing for one lane westbound and one lane eastbound.