Motorists face delays of up to an hour after vehicle fire damages part of A31 near Ringwood

A VEHICLE blaze has damaged a section of the A31 near Ringwood, forcing a partial closure for emergency repairs.

There have been lengthy traffic hold-ups this morning (Friday) as one lane of the busy main road’s eastbound carriageway remains shut off following the emergency between Picket Post and Stoney Cross last night.

Firefighters from Ringwood had rushed to the scene in response to a call-out shortly after 8pm, reporting the vehicle had burst into flames.

The crew spent over an hour battling to contain the incident, by which time the car had been completely destroyed.

Police are also understood to have attended the scene last night.

Updates from traffic information service Romanse this morning warned of “severe” queues of vehicles as the closure remained in place.

Delays of up to one hour were reported around 11am, with tailbacks said to have stretched almost back to Burley.

The A&T has contacted Hampshire police for further details.