A SECTION of the Granby Industrial Estate has been closed after the roof of a petrol station was deemed to be "unsafe" when debris fell from the building.

Police officers are currently diverting traffic around a portion of Cumberland Drive, between the junctions with Albany Road and Cambridge Road, due to structural damage on the roof of the Esso garage.

PCSO Clive Joyner, who was directing motorists away from the scene, said: "Bits came off the roof this morning and the public alerted us.

"The fire brigade have checked the roofing and said it is unsafe.

"Someone is coming within the next hour to fix it."

Mike Baker, manager of Roman Glass on Cambridge Road, praised the police for their focus on the safety of civilians and business owners using the estate.

He said: "Health and safety is the priority."

"Look at the amount of people who walk down that road come lunchtime."

PCSO Joyner added: "The business owners understand.

"Everyone wants to do their business on the Granby, but we are trying to keep them safe as well."

The closure is also affecting pedestrian access to the area, with walkers being directed around the cordoned off portion of the estate.

Bradley Webb, who was walking through the estate, said: "They are dealing with it quite well by shutting off the road so no one gets hurt."

A spokesman for Dorset Police said: "We were called at 8.51am by the fire service to reports of a dangerous structure, the Esso Garage. The fire service were already in attendance. The canopy has come lose due to the weather. The local authority have been tasked with closing the road and a diversion is in place at Hampshire Road and Albany Road."