GOVERNMENT cuts mean a £9.5m road improvement scheme on the A31 at Ringwood has been put on hold.

Highway Agency plans for a third lane from the Ringwood flyover to the Verwood slip road have been shelved in favour of electronic signs on Poulner Hill to warn of queues further west.

Mayor Cllr Christine Ford said: “I’m disappointed. It was a window of opportunity that has shut, I’m afraid.”

The three-lane scheme would have meant widening bridges over the River Avon and the Millstream and blocking off West Street to cut rush hour jams onto the A31 and reduced congestion and accidents on the trunk road. The signs are due to be installed at Poulner Hill this month.