Police have hit out at a number of drivers, who ignored road closed signs on the "treacherous" Avon Causeway on Saturday.

As reported by the Daily Echo, police closed the road on Saturday following two crashes due to the icy weather.

The entire carriageway was shut to allow the council to treat the road and make it safe, a spokesperson told us.

Read more: Avon Causeway 'won't reopen until gritted and safe' after two crashes on icy road

But in an update, officers from Bournemouth Police said some drivers had decided to ignore the road signs, putting them and others at risk.

They said: "Earlier today, officers attended one RTC on the Avon Causeway and when there, another two collisions occurred.

"As a result, the Avon Causeway was partly closed as the road was blocked with vehicles. When the police closure was lifted, the local authority continued a further closure to allow gritters and staff to treat the road.

"Unfortunately, a number of vehicles ignored the local authority road closed signs on each side of the Causeway, continuing to travel along a treacherous stretch of road, endangering themselves and other road users, as well as emergency services and local authority staff who may have had to respond to further collisions.

Read more: Trains disrupted for rest of the day after railway bridge incident at Christchurch

"To put the closure into perspective, earlier this week, a tractor went off the Causeway - if it can happen to that type of vehicle, it could happen to car or motorcycle.

"We understand that it is an inconvenience, however, it is there to keep drivers, emergency services and local authority staff safe.

"As the days continue to be icy and road conditions remain dangerous, please allow extra time to allow for the conditions and the affect on the road."

Traffic across Christchurch was heavy yesterday, due in part to the closure of Stony Lane roundabout, the lane closure on the A31 near Ringwood causing traffic to use the A35, and an incident at Christchurch railway bridge in the afternoon.

Ongoing roadworks at Iford roundabout are also adding to congestion around the area.