Loose Horses Cause Major Delays on Dorset’s A338

Motorists faced significant disruption after several horses strayed onto a busy stretch of the A338 Spur Road near Christchurch.

Dorset Police were alerted at around 11:50 BST to reports of a small group of horses on the southbound carriageway. Officers attended the scene and temporarily halted traffic while efforts were made to safely round up the animals.

The incident led to long delays, with the road closed between Ringwood and Bournemouth for a period. Witnesses reported seeing the horses moving along the central reservation and across the carriageway.

BBC reporter Dan George, who was caught in the disruption, said drivers were held on a slip road for over an hour as police managed the situation. At one stage, motorists were asked to move onto the grass verge to allow the horses to pass safely.

By shortly after 14:30, police confirmed the animals had been removed from the road and the A338 had reopened.

The RSPCA is now working with the horses’ owner following the incident.