Concerns over 'major dust cloud' on resurfaced road

Residents near a busy dual carriageway that is under maintenance have raised concerns about "a visible major dust cloud".

A temporary 20mph speed limit has been put in place on the A3049 Dorset Way in Poole, between Holes Bay roundabout and Mannings Heath roundabout.

A resident said the roadworks were "causing a major health hazard" as the street had "a covering of white dust".

Councillor Andy Hadley, from Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council, apologised and urged drivers to stick to the speed limit to reduce the amount of dust in the air.

Until 10 September, overnight sweeping works will be taking place on the road, and further lane closures will be in place on 12 and 13 September for sealing works.

BCP Council previously said the £500,000 scheme would "help protect the road surface, prevent potholes and extend the life of one of Poole's busiest routes".

But a resident, who contacted the BBC, said the area around the road was "a visible major dust cloud, and residents over a mile away are impacted".

They said another nearby resident had sent them a voice message "showing just how she's suffering with respiratory symptoms as a result of this work".

"We have seen some images on social media of what looks like big dust clouds causing visibility issues as well," they added.

Labour MP for Poole Neil Duncan-Jordan said residents were "rightly concerned".

He posted on social media that he had reached out to the council, asking for an "urgent" investigation into ways to suppress the dust.

Duncan-Jordan also said he had asked it to examine how traffic flows could be managed "more effectively", and to "confirm what assessments were made to minimise disruption to the local community".

Hadley said he was "really sorry for those directly affected by the dust arising from the surface dressing of the Dorset Way, especially the adjacent residents".

"A temporary 20mph speed limit is in place to prevent dust being kicked up from loose chippings and because there are missing road markings," he added.

On Tuesday afternoon, Dorset Police posted on Facebook that officers had followed reports of vehicles exceeding the speed limit, with one driver having been stopped after being recorded travelling at 61mph.