A “FOREST” of traffic lights has sprung up at Canford Bottom roundabout, which is set to re-open next month.

Since the £5.7million Highways Agency project began last autumn, engineers have re-modelled the roundabout, built a dual carriageway through the middle and re-surfaced stretches of the A31.

Now drivers – who have endured weeks of road closures and traffic queues – have spotted the controversial 70 sets of traffic lights going up.

A Highways Agency spokeswoman said: “The Canford Bottom junction improvement scheme is still on schedule for completion in June.

“The main construction work is complete, with the new dual carriageway built, although not in use, through the centre of the roundabout.

“Most of the A31 in both directions has been resurfaced, and new kerbing, ducting and drainage has been installed within the roundabout.

“The roundabout has been landscaped, and traffic signals, the CCTV camera for monitoring traffic flow, and fencing installed.

“During the rest of May and June we will complete the carriageway resurfacing and the road markings, and commission the traffic signals and CCTV cameras.

“The final work will be to remove the site compound and tidy the working area.”

It has been overseen from the project hub on Ferndown Industrial Estate.

David Webber, of Stapehill, said: “At the moment they are covered with orange hoods. This makes them stand out and you realise how many there are going to be.

“You get an impression of a forest of lights when you’re actually there.”

The lights will control traffic and the pedestrian crossings. A toucan crossing through the centre of the junction will allow pedestrians across Wimborne Road West.