PART of Poole will be affected by heavy congestion from today as the council will close a key route for resurfacing work. 

Wimborne Road will be closed from 7am today (Tuesday, October 24) until 6pm each day, lasting until Friday, October 27. 

The resurfacing work will be carried out in three phases:  

  • 24-25 October - Haynes Avenue to just south of Heckford Road 
  • 26 October - Wimborne Road at its junction with Garland Road 
  • 27 October - Wimborne Road at its with junction with Tatnam Road 

A signed diversion route is in place, from George roundabout, up Hunger Hill to Holes Bay roundabout and then onto Boradstone Way. 

After that, signs will lead drivers to Cabot Lane, onto Waterloo Road and then Fleetsbridge roundabout.

Bournemouth Echo: Wimborne Road closureWimborne Road closure (Image: BCP Council)

Next month, new cycle lanes will still be installed on both sides of the road, but due to rising construction and labour costs, the cycle lanes will be segregated from the carriageway by traffic wands rather than a stepped kerb. 

Earlier this year, Julian McLaughlin, director for infrastructure at BCP Council, said the work will end with a “smooth, pot-hole free route in and out of Poole town centre”.

Read more: Bournemouth traffic: resurfacing work to bring delays

Elsewhere in the conurbation, Ringwood Road is shut at West Howe Roundabout as resurfacing work is carried out. 

Severe delays were reported yesterday morning due to the diversion route, with traffic backed up from Mountbatten roundabout to Mannings Heath Roundabout heading into Bournemouth.

 Bournemouth Echo: Ringwood Road past West Howe is closed, too.Ringwood Road past West Howe is closed, too. (Image: Newsquest)

Traffic coming from the north can go via Magna Road, Queen Anne Drive, Gravel Hill, Dorset Way and onto Canford Way. 

BCP Council said it will continue to review the weather throughout the week, which is predicted rainfall from Wednesday, but insist everything is “on track” to be completed by this Friday. 

The council added: “We won’t be turning the traffic lights off. During the roundabout works all four exits remain available to drivers who approach from either Alderney Roundabout or Wallisdown Rd (although as you know, Ringwood Rd is only available to residents with permits), so turning off the traffic lights would cause safety issues.”