Durweston flood arch work continues

Major construction work is continuing in preparation for the demolition of a busy Dorset road.

From Monday 3 June, drivers along the A357 through Durweston should allow extra time for their journeys as three-way temporary lights will replace the permanent A350/A357 junction signals.

The traffic signal on the A357 is being moved around 100m away from the junction to provide safe working space for the removal of road fencing and kerbs, and for strengthening of the carriageway edge, on the north side.

The temporary signals will be in place for three weeks until Saturday 22 June, when the road will be closed for four weeks.

The closure is needed because the flood arches – and the road over them – will be demolished so the new culvert units can be installed.

Work will also take place to remove road fencing and kerbs, and to strengthen the carriageway edge, on the south side.

Work to date

  • Building works access track on south side of the road
  • Building works access track on north side of the road
  • Excavating, building shuttering & pouring for concrete aprons:
    • for south side one-span, two-span and three-span arches
    • for north side one-span, two-span and three-span arches
  • Excavation under all arches ready for new culvert base material
  • Profiling of south side embankment
  • Profiling of north side embankment

In pictures

Creating works access track
Concrete ‘apron’ to support end sections of new culvert and excavation under arches
First delivery of culvert units
Profiling of embankments
Works area from above
203 Shares

31 thoughts on “Durweston flood arch work continues


  1. Thank you for keeping us informed. Much appreciated and very interesting


  2. I think you are doing a good well managed job on Durweston Bridge. But when are you going to PERMANENTLY fix the road surfaces in Child Okeford


  3. Interesting and informative update on the work on the A357 at Durweston but when the road is closed for demolition on June 22nd you haven’t advised for how long it will be closed whilst the culverts are installed!


    1. Hi Martin, sorry about that – the road will be closed for four weeks. I’ve added that into the article now as well.


    2. Good work… however just wondering do you think you could work on improving the roads surface and the safe provision of pavements between the A357 and Durweston primary school?


  4. Hi Dorset Highways,

    I will be attending an event in the living classroom at Bonsley Wood on Sat 22nd, and usually access going over this bridge and turning 2nd on right, via a private road.

    Will there be a diversion so this is still accessible? Many thanks!


    1. Hi Jennifer, you’ll still be able to access this event though I’m afraid you’ll have to drive the long way round using the signed diversion on the A350 and then the A357 through Shillingstone.


  5. Thank you for all the info on Durweston bridge.
    2 Questions if I may; Precisely what roads are being closed? Is it the bridge or the Blandford – Shaftesbury road or both?

    Will signed diversions be available and what are the diversions?


    1. Hi Sid, it is just the A357 that is being closed as there will be three significant holes in it and no road to drive on. The signed diversion route will be on the A350 Blandford to Shaftesbury road.


      1. “significant holes”….. I rather like that description for the upcoming demolition of the Arches 🙂


        1. I live in Shillingstone and I work in Wimborne will there be diversions


          1. Hi Brenda, the signed diversion route has to divert drivers on to the same classification of road so is rather long using A357 to Henstridge, A30 to Shaftesbury and then the A350 to get to Blandford!

            You may wish to find an alternative, more local route. But just bear in mind that these local roads will also be busier. Unfortunately, your commute is going to take longer during the road closure.


  6. Will the damaged bridge parapet be repaired while the road is closed?


    1. Hi Spectre, our works timescales during the closure is extremely tight, but we will do our best to carry out any other maintenance at the same time, though we can’t promise it.


  7. Rather concerned as we live on a350 France Farm when the bridge is closed and I guess no traffic lights will be needed our access to the a350 will be very awkward as we rely on break in traffic to get out as volume of traffic is very heavy at all times


    1. Hi Pamela, thank you for your comments, I’ve passed them to the project team for consideration.


  8. I find it difficult to accept that we will still be left with a bridge and approaches that are not able to deal with the current traffic levels and for that matter, the poor standard of driver using it? Whilst fully aware of the historical significance of the bridge itself, it clearly is not suited to the 20th century, much less the 21st. Is anything to be done to remedy this?


    1. Hi Don, unfortunately we won’t be replacing the bridge at the same time, or even in the near future. Land limitations in the area means replacing the bridge and widening or realigning the road onto any new bridge would cost a significant amount of money. Improving the existing bridge is also very difficult as it’s a listed structure, which ties our hands in what we can do with it.
      Sorry I don’t have better news for you.


  9. When the bridge is closed in July will the traffic lights be removed or switched off on the A350 to allow traffic to drive straight through?


  10. Whilst the road is closed will you also be carrying out permanent repairs to the Bridge itself or will that require another closure thus again disrupting traffic.
    What arrangements have been made to keep the X10 Bus running or do you intend to leave the villages without a bus service for a month.


    1. Hi Michael, our works timescales during the closure is extremely tight, but we will do our best to carry out any other maintenance at the same time, though we can’t promise it.

      We’ve informed the bus companies about the closure, and understand they are making their own arrangements for the service.


  11. I have lived in Okeford Fitzpaine for over 30 years and there has been numerous times the Bridge has been closed in that period by lorries colliding with the parapet.
    I trust the current damage to the parapet is planned as part of the upgrade to the flood plane bridges?
    Given the frequency of damage to the bridge when is a permanent solution going to be found, not least to preserve the old bridge?


    1. Hi Roy, although we’re aware of the issues with this bridge, unfortunately we won’t be replacing the bridge at the same time, or even in the near future.
      Land limitations in the area means replacing the bridge and widening or realigning the road onto any new bridge would cost a significant amount of money. Improving the existing bridge is also very difficult as it’s a listed structure, which ties our hands in what we can do with it.
      Sorry I don’t have better news for you.


  12. Would it be possible to repaint the hatching that helps motorists, especially truck drivers, pull out wide to negotiate the corner (and hence prevent the bridge from being driven into on a regular basis). Prior warning in the form of a pictorial sign would be also great , since it is not apparent soon enough that there is a very tight corner onto the bridge heading towards Durweston. No chance of widening the bridge I suppose!


    1. Hi Ann, thank you for your comments, I’ll pass them on to the project team. Unfortunately, there are currently no plans to widen the bridge.


    2. Hi Ann, thanks for your comments – I’ll pass your concerns on to the community highway officer for the area for him to look into.

      Unfortunately we won’t be improving the bridge at the same time, or even in the near future. Land limitations in the area means replacing the bridge and widening or realigning the road onto any new bridge would cost a significant amount of money. It’s also a listed structure, which ties our hands in what we can do with it.


  13. Dear Dorset Highways
    Just a bit of feedback from a Shillingstone resident who travels to Bmth every week day – The traffic lights delay once traffic from Durweston has crossed bridge & lights have changed from Stourpane traffic appears too long and this adds to the length of traffic queues from each direction
    Can the timings be investigated now the lights have been in-situ for a week
    Plus, can you confirm if the original traffic lights will be operational once all the works are completed? – as they controlled the traffic just fine
    Many thanks


    1. Hi Helen, sorry for the current delays. The Durweston traffic light head has been moved closer to the village which means that the ‘all red time’ is now longer to allow drivers and cyclists time to safely pass through the site before the next phase turns green.
      We’ve asked our specialist traffic management subcontractor to monitor and check the timings of the heads regularly, but these lights will never be as efficient as the permanent signals.
      When the work is finished, the original junction signals will be switched back on.


  14. As already commented it is pleasing to see detailed and informative updates. I am already taking a “diversion” when travelling back home at the end of the day (I have found it takes ~10-15 mins longer with the temp lights during the end of day rush hr)…. as much as anything this is to “familarize” myself with the route I will then HAVE to take during the road closure. I would humbly suggest this is a good idea for anyone who knows they will be affected by the road closure and do not already have or know the diversion route they choose to use.


    1. Hi James, thanks for your comments. Great idea trying out your preferred route for when the road is closed.

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