The A338 was shut in both directions today after horses were spotted on the road.
A dozen horses were seen running loose on the carriageway shortly before midday, bringing traffic to a standstill either side of the Blackwater junction for more than 1 hour and causing heavy congestion as vehicles were diverted away from the Spur Road.
Queues quickly built up on surrounding routes, with Christchurch Road, Matchams Lane, Hurn Bridge, Avon Causeway and Cooper Dean all becoming gridlocked at one stage as drivers tried to find alternative ways through the area during the closure.
Bournemouth One provided live updates from the scene on the Welcome to Bournemouth bridge while the road remained closed, as Dorset Police confirmed they had received a report at 11.50am of horses loose on the southbound carriageway near Christchurch.
Police said officers were at the scene and that “traffic is being managed while the incident is dealt with”. The horses were later removed safely and the A338 reopened just before 2pm.
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