Poole traffic: 'Things have been difficult' admits leader

She said there is a “glut” of roadworks in place at the moment – some of which includes a partial closure of Alder Road and lane closures in Ringwood Road and Canford Way. 

The leader said that most of the work across the conurbation is being done by the utility companies and that emergency work cannot be controlled. 

And the cabinet member responsible for roads at BCP Council Andy Hadley said he understands traffic has been “frustrating” lately. 

Traffic in Canford Way, where it goes down to one lane (Image: Daily Echo) The work is for a new cycle lane along Ringwood Road (Image: Daily Echo)

He said it is “unfortunate” that in the past couple of weeks, two separate emergency gas and water related works have had to take place on a diversion route in Alder Road and Herbert Avenue/Ringwood Road. 

He said: “There was a burst gas main on Alder Road as well as a collapsed main sewer on Ringwood Road near the junction of Herbert Avenue that is in urgent need of repair.  

“We have been working with the utility companies to co-ordinate work to try and keep disruption to a minimum.”  

Cllr Hadley said there are several ways to alleviate the time spent in traffic, including lift sharing during peak times, catching a bus, walking and cycling. 

He added: “I would recommend using a sat nav, even if you know the route, as these can send you down the route with the least traffic at that point.”  

Cllr Earl added: “As someone who drives, I have been stuck in roadworks as well. The way I’ve been thinking of this is we rely on services. 

We rely on high-speed broadband and having decent roads, reliable water and gas [...] it’s important that we do roadworks to make sure that our facilities and infrastructure continue to work.  

“However, we can’t plan for emergency roadworks. We also facilitate for other utility companies – 86 per cent of the work that takes place is not actually done by BCP Council, but by the utility providers. 

“They have the right to dig up roads and particularly when it’s an emergency. We cannot control that.” 

Ringwood Road northbound between Alderney Roundabout and Mountbatten Roundabout will start to free up later this week. 

The northbound lane closure will be lifted on Friday, November 15 and the southbound lane closure will end on December 13 for the Christmas period. 

Overnight on November 15 (7pm to 6am), Canford Way eastbound will close from Mannings Heath Roundabout to Alderney Roundabout. 

And then between January 6 and February 6, southbound will be back down to one lane and there may be a short-term northbound lane closure too.