ROADWORKS are sparking anger among residents and drivers as diverted traffic causes chaos on streets.
Phase two of a £2million scheme to improve Holdenhurst Road, which began on June 24, has been diverting frustrated drivers down Windham Road in Bournemouth.
Peter St John, 80, has lived in Windham Road for 27 years and said the increased traffic, alongside long-standing parking issues, is making the area unsafe.
One week after the works began, on July 1, Peter said the road was gridlocked with drivers becoming aggressive.
“People were shouting and swearing saying that they had been trying to get through for 20 minutes,” said Peter.
He added it took him three hours to reverse out of his own driveway because no one would let him out.
“It was impossible to get out, people couldn’t and wouldn’t let anyone through.”
He said on-road parking has become worse of a problem over the years and junctions are becoming blocked making the area more of a hazard.
“At around 4.10pm on Sunday, June 30, a delivery driver on a bike smashed into this car.
“People have been parking on the corners, so no one can see the traffic.”
The parking issue has meant the two-way road is no longer wide enough for two cars and relies on drivers allowing each other room to drive through.
“I blame the council,” said Peter.
“They should have put cones down one side of the road and the four corners [of the crossroad].”
He added: “We have had people here repainting the cyclist signs on the floor when they should have been painting lines showing people where to stop.”
Peter said he fears for the school children and their parents who use the road to commute.
“It is so dangerous.
“No one is going to do anything until someone is killed, and it will be a child or a young person.
“They’ll say ‘if only we had done something’ but if only is not good enough.”
Head of engineering at BCP Council previously said the road works will be carried out over years, with the final phase beginning next year.
A BCP spokesperson said: “Windham Road isn’t part of our diversion routes for the ongoing works along Holdenhurst Road, but we have been made aware of some inconsiderate parking on this stretch of road and surrounding area, and are sending out a team to investigate.
“As a council we take inconsiderate parking very seriously, as it causes unnecessary delays and puts both drivers and pedestrians at risk.
“We appreciate there are likely to be delays as part of the resurfacing work underway along Holdenhurst Road, and ask motorists to continue using the signposted diversions, leave extra time for their journeys and respect fellow drivers and pedestrians by not parking illegally and where they are likely to cause an obstruction.
“Tomorrow, Thursday 4 July, is the last day of our planned daytime closures, which will be removed by 6pm. The final section of these works will be carried out overnight at the Springbourne Junction on Monday 8 and Tuesday 9 July."
