TEMPORARY traffic lights will placed on a busy road used as a diversion for drivers during the A338 works.

Bournemouth Water are carrying out work to install a water main on Stony Lane, which leads from Christchurch to the Avon Causeway.

The work will take place for three days from Wednesday, October 14. It is hoped to be completed by the weekend subject to any unforeseen issues.

There will be temporary traffic lights, operating 24 hours a day, but controlled manually from 7am until 7pm each day.

A spokesperson for Dorset County Council said: "When we received notice of proposed works by Bournemouth Water for Stony Lane, Christchurch, just to the north of Campbell Road to install a new customer service, we challenged the timing of the work.

"We were advised by Bournemouth Water that they are to honour installation of a new service within 15 days of agreement and subsequent payment by a customer.

"The work was initially scheduled to start on October 6 but we have insisted the work be pushed back until after the completion of work at Wick Lane in Christchurch town centre.

"DCC is merely facilitating the work and ensuring they minimise disruption."

Previously Dorset County Council have said roadworks cannot be halted while the A338 project is ongoing, but that they try to minimise disruption through different ways of working.

Sharnine Coleman, head of communications at Bournemouth Water described the work as "essential".

"These works relate to the installation of a new water connection, which we are required by legislation to complete within 21 calendar days of request – they are therefore essential works.

"We are sorry for any disruption this may cause and will make every effort to carry out these works as quickly and efficiently as possible", she said.

This week, thousands of people have been caught in traffic delays across the conurbation after two crashes on Tuesday and one on Hurn Road on Thursday.

The collisions exacerbated delays already caused by work on the Spur Road, the A347 New Road and Wick Lane in Christchurch.

Many drivers use Stony Lane to access the Avon Causeway or to get through to Ringwood on the B3347, avoiding the A338.