A Dorset County Council spokeswoman said there were ‘unusually long delays’ on Buxton Road and Rodwell Road on one particular day and traffic control engineers are investigating why this happened.

She added: “Since the SCOOT system (the element that links the junctions and allows them to react to traffic flows and learn traffic patterns/ behaviour) has been operating on the completed Boot Hill corridor it has been running well, however the full benefits won’t be seen until all the works are completed.”

Matthew Piles, the council’s strategic projects manager, pictured, said: “Taking the left turns out of both Wyke Road and Chickerell Road allows safe pedestrian movement across these roads without completely stopping traffic on the A354 Rodwell Road.

“From the consultation with emergency services during the design of the scheme, it was deemed vital to keep the right turns into Wyke Road and Chickerell Road.

“The banning of left turns gave the balance between improving congestion on Rodwell Road and providing safe pedestrian crossings.

“Local traffic is still able to use local roads or Portland Road, Wyke Road and Lanehouse Rocks Road to get to their destination.”