People using Whitelegg Way in Bournemouth will continue to need extra time for their journeys in the New Year.

From 4 January to 11 March two-way traffic lights will be implemented on the southern end of the road and there will also be a southbound road closure from Wimborne Road slip road onto Whitelegg Way.

While Whitelegg Way will remain open to two-way traffic, a section near Redhill Roundabout will be controlled by two-way traffic lights. In addition, the Wimborne Road / Whitelegg Way junction will be closed to southbound traffic. Vehicles approaching north from Redhill Roundabout will continue to be able to turn left onto Wimborne Road slip road.

These changes are in addition to the diversion already in place for a road closure on the service road on the east side of Wimborne Road and its junction with Whitelegg Way.

The road closures and temporary traffic lights will allow the next stage of sustainable travel improvement works to take place, including an extension of the walking and cycling paths, new bus stop shelters, and a new toucan crossing near Redhill roundabout. The left turn from Wimborne Road into Whitelegg Way will also be removed, reducing waiting times for buses, cars and cyclists.

A BCP Council spokesman said: “We understand that road works cause inconvenience and we thank everyone for their patience while we build a greener, healthier, better connected region.”

The changes to Whitelegg Way, funded through the Transforming Cities Fund sustainable travel programme, are one part of several phases of work planned for the 13km sustainable travel route linking Merley (Poole) and Christchurch. Work is also underway on the section from Gravel Hill to Bear Cross Roundabout in Poole.