YET another set of road works is causing major hold-ups in Poole this week.

Workmen have coned off a section of the gyratory system around the civic centre - closing one lane at the junction of Park Road and Sandbanks Road.

The pinch point has created tailbacks, particularly for drivers coming to work from Bournemouth, who have faced up to an extra half-an-hour on their already congested journeys.

Contractors making emergency repairs to a damaged sewer for Ansa Utilities started work during the day on Monday, causing chaos during Tuesday morning rush hour.

The roadworks are listed on Borough of Poole's website with a level five, or severe delay rating - the highest category - but most drivers were not expecting them.

Dawn Birtles, divisional communications manager at Dorset Police, said she was held up for an extra 20 minutes coming from Bournemouth on Tuesday.

She said: "I didn't know it was going to happen. The first thing I knew about it was when I was sat in it yesterday. I didn't see any signs and I don't think there was a date for how long it's going to be there."

Staff at Poole Magistrates Court also fell foul of the traffic.

A member of the team said: "Staff are taking a bit longer to get into the court. It's not holding up court business."

A spokesman for Borough of Poole said signage would normally be put up in advance.

He added: "This was emergency maintenance work for the sewers. Normally they would work with us, but on this occasion there wasn't time."

He said the council's transport team had re-phased the traffic lights and opened up Poole Park to vehicles in the morning to improve the flow following Tuesday's jams.

He added: "I don't think the traffic has been as bad today (Wednesday) as it was yesterday."

The roadworks are expected to be completed tomorrow.