Check latest traffic news in Poole


TODAY is Black Friday when the worst traffic congestion of the year is predicted - but for some Poole commuters it will be nothing new.

Yesterday the Daily Echo reported on traffic backing-up around the civic centre as emergency sewer works are carried out.

But drivers heading out of Poole on Bournemouth Road are faring even worse.

North Lodge Road, usually a rat run linking Bournemouth Road with Lindsay Road and Canford Cliffs Road, has been closed to allow Wessex Water to put in storage sewers to stop sewers in the area flooding when it rains.

With the short cut out of action, drivers on Bournemouth Road are facing even longer queues at the approach to the Poole Road roundabout - adding up to 30 minutes to their journeys to work.

And the road works are expected to continue until February 28 next year.

Samantha Paula, who works at car dealership Seward, on Poole Road, said: "The traffic is absolutely horrendous - about 10 times worse."

Her 10 to 15-minute journey from Alder Road is now taking her 40 minutes.

"It's definitely frustrating," she added.

Maureen Corbin lives on Bournemouth Road. She said: "First thing in the morning the traffic is bad. Normally I go down North Lodge Road.

"Now I have to go all round the houses to get home."

But despite this apparent impact Borough of Poole has the North Lodge Road works listed on their website with a delay rating of 1 - which stands for "insignificant, no delays".

John Sayers, highways maintenance manager, Borough of Poole, said: "Wessex Water is carrying out essential works on a flood alleviation scheme in the area."

He added: "The scheme should be fully completed by March 2008 and we would ask the public to be patient and allow a little extra time for journeys, although traffic along Bournemouth Road should not be significantly affected."

  • The Black Friday report - compiled by Trafficmaster and the RAC foundation - has predicted the worst time today will be between 4pm and 6pm.

It also anticipates this year's congestion will 10 per cent worse than on black Friday 2003.