Just as schools go back after the summer break and traffic increases, Dorset motorists are to be hit with more roadside surveys.

The third wave of traffic studies will affect routes in and out of the area and are likely to cause delays - but this should be the last round.

Drivers will be quizzed about their driving patterns at 31 locations on 10 days from next Tuesday, September 9 to October 23 as part of a £2 million study into traffic movements and transport needs.

Results of the surveys will be used to develop a comprehensive transport model for the Poole, Bournemouth and Christchurch conurbation and surrounding areas.

This is to help build an accurate picture of traffic movements and influence future road and transport improvements, plus housing and employment developments, over the next 20 years.

Without the study, transport improvements in South East Dorset, estimated at £400 million, cannot be delivered. So far information has been gathered from around 33,000 drivers at 30 roadside surveys carried out in April and June.

"We would like to thank drivers for their co-operation so far and ask for their patience during the autumn when the surveys will be on some of the more major routes into and out of the area," said Rick Clayton, project manager for the South East Dorset Transport Study.

"The surveys may cause some delays but collecting this information is the first step in the process of delivering the new roads, buses and transport policies that should make moving around the area less stressful in the future."

The location of the roadside surveys are carefully planned to record traffic movements between areas and to reduce delays at peak periods, pre-paid cards will be handed out to drivers. "We do not advertise the locations and dates of the surveys to avoid motorists changing their normal journeys and leaving us with meaningless data," said Mr Clayton.

"As a precaution we are advising all drivers to allow a little extra time for their journeys around the area over the two months while the surveys are carried out."

  • Anyone with a flight, ferry or important hospital appointment can contact the project team on 01202 265260 to find out if they may be affected.