FEARS of "total gridlock" today have been raised by a Poole businessman after the council decided to resurface part of Ringwood Road while neighbouring Old Wareham Road is closed one-way.

Roy Carder who has a picture framing and art business at the Wessex Trade Centre fears people will be unable to get to the area with both major roads affected.

"It's frustrating," he said. "Why can't they leave it until Old Wareham Road is finished? It's terrible planning."

Old Wareham Road has been closed westbound from Monday until January 11 for 170m while the road is improved to cope with traffic for the new Audi showroom.

However today traffic on Ringwood Road, close to the junction with Cynthia Road will be controlled by stop and go boards between 9.30am and 4pm.

Richard Pinnegar, traffic manager, Borough of Poole, said: “The council has upgraded a pedestrian crossing on Ringwood Road close to the junction of Cynthia Road.

"To ensure that the crossing is safe and ready for use the road either side of it will be resurfaced today outside of peak times to reduce further disruption to road users in this area. We apologise for any inconvenience caused during this time.”