Traffic chaos after crashes and fire involving lorries

THREE incidents involving lorries have been causing traffic chaos on roads in and around Ringwood today (Tuesday). Flames engulfed one of the vehicles, while the other two were involved in two separate crashes, with various road closures and diversions in place. The A31’s eastbound carriageway was shut between the A338 Salisbury Road and Poulner Hill as firefighters battled the lorry blaze.

A post on X by Hampshire County Council Traffic and Travel around 9.50am reported heavy delays in both directions. As earlier reported by the A&T, another lorry collided with a power cable on Southampton Road, resulting in it being closed off at its junctions with Wessex Road and Broadshard Lane. No injuries were reported.

Police urged motorists to avoid the area as they reported being at the scene of the incident in an online post shortly before 11am.

Diversions have been in place while emergency services make the area safe. Around 9.50am, Dorset Police responded, along with paramedics to a four-vehicle crash involving two coaches, a lorry and a car on the A31, near the Ashley Heath Roundabout. A force spokesperson said: “A number of people are being treated at the scene for minor injuries.

No serious injuries reported.

“Lane closures are in place to allow emergency services to safely deal with the incident.”

Motorists were urged to avoid the area and seek alternative routes.