Drivers warned over Twin Sails Bridge new roadworks

The bridge will span Backwater Channel between Hamworthy and Poole town centre

Motorists are set to face heavy delays as work starts on a £2m link road for Poole's new Twin Sails Bridge.

The junction, connecting Blandford Road in Hamworthy to the £37m harbour crossing, has been built to ease traffic flows and reduce congestion for when the bridge opens next January.

Temporary traffic lights will operate from Monday and work is not expected to be completed until the Autumn.

The bridge will span Backwater Channel between Hamworthy and Poole port.

'Additional time'

The three-way temporary lights, which will operate 24 hours a day, will be in place on Blandford Road at the junction of Rigler Road until construction of the new junction is finished.

They will be set up after the morning peak traffic on Monday.

Julian McLaughlin, council head of transportation services, said when the bridge opens it will ease congestion.

"Unfortunately, disruption for motorists using the Blandford Road is unavoidable during construction," he added.

"We are working with the contractors to do all we can to minimise the impact of this work.

"However, we would advise motorists travelling via Blandford Road to allow some additional time for their journeys, especially at busy times of the day."

The council said it would monitor traffic flows to see if further work can be taken to reduce the impact of the work.