MOTORISTS in Poole are being urged to plan extra time for their journeys around Gravel Hill, as the school term starts next month.

Gravel Hill has been closed to traffic for several weeks as part of an ongoing engineering project to reinforce the embankment, improve road junctions and create a shared footway/cycleway.

This work, part of a wider project to improve the transport corridor from the Port of Poole to the A31, will continue until November, with the road closed between Queen Anne Drive and Arrowsmith Road until that time.

John Rice, Engineering Manager, Borough of Poole, said: "We are pleased with how the initial works are progressing and the use of the temporary measures we have put in place to minimise disruption to road users.

"However, with schools going back in September this will lead to a significant increase in traffic in this area at peak times."

Full access is available for pedestrians and cyclists as well as a temporary timetable for No 3, 4 and 32 bus services. A fully signed local diversion route is also in place.