ANGRY motorists were stuck in traffic chaos around the Castlepoint complex in Bournemouth, when the entire lower level of the car park was shut without warning on Saturday.

Queues built up on Castle Lane West and surrounding roads by mid-morning as shoppers arrived to find parking restricted to the top storey.

As the upper car park filled to capacity, motorists were forced to queue behind a barrier, until space became available.

It was the second time in less than a week that the centre has been hit by problems.

Last Tuesday the B&Q superstore was closed and a section of the car park cordoned off because of health and safety concerns, as engineers carried out a structural review.

Saturday's closure was not announced by Castlepoint in advance.

Although a brief statement issued by management on Tuesday referred to "health and safety concerns," it did not elaborate.

An employee at one of the stores on the site claimed they had been told that chunks of concrete had fallen from some sections of the car park in previous days.

One motorist visiting the centre on Saturday told the Echo: "It was absolute bedlam. Some people were furious, as they had been forced to wait for a long time. Staff were letting people in just a few at a time, so the queues stretched back to the main road.

"It doesn't seem like a good time to be carrying out work, when the place is full of weekend shoppers."

Sarah Cowling, manager of Barratts, said: "It couldn't get much worse in terms of the traffic, although I use public transport.

"But it's better to be aware of the safety of customers and management has reacted quickly to the problem."

One car park official, directing traffic outside Sainsbury's, described the situation as 'manic', while another motorist, Ray Lee, out shopping with his children, said: "I live on Castle Lane West next to Bournemouth School for Girls and I have never seen it like this.

Operations manager, John Parker, told the Daily Echo: "The owners of Castlepoint called me and asked me to close the car park due to temporary maintenance work."

He added: "I am awaiting an update for when the ground floor car park will be opened."

A full statement is expected to be issued by Castlepoint today.

First published: May 9