"Gridlock" in Sandbanks on hottest day of the year

Drivers were urged to avoid the area as traffic came to a standstill in the roads near the Sandbanks Ferry, particularly in Haven Road and Shore Road.

Police took to social media in a bid to alert people to the issue caused by volume of traffic and emergency roadworks and said efforts were being made to ease the delays.

Read more: Thousands descend on Bournemouth on hottest day of the year

A Dorset Police spokesperson said: “We have received reports that the roads near to the Sandbanks ferry in Poole have been gridlocked this evening, especially Haven Road and Shore Road, due to volume of traffic and emergency road works.

“Motorists are advised to avoid the area and use alternative routes.

“Efforts are underway to ease the traffic and help people get home.”

Wessex Water has been carrying out emergency roadworks in Shore Road for the past few weeks.

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As reported by the Daily Echo earlier this week, the company said the works would continue until the end of July due to “difficult ground conditions”. 

The work initially started in May and was supposed to last two days.

Thousands of people flocked to the beaches across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole on Friday as temperatures soared to around 30C.

BCP Council said around 55,000 people had flocked to the conurbation's beaches to make the most of the hot weather. 

More hot weather is expected today although Sunday is set to be cooler.