As Dorset Highways is currently carrying out major construction work to replace the Durweston flood arches, many residents and local drivers have asked if the bridge can be improved at the same time.
The bridge itself cannot be modified as it is a Grade II listed building. Although old, it still has strength to support HGVs using the A357 to service local businesses and make deliveries to residents.
Help is at hand
Dorset Highways bridges team has taken steps to reduce the frequency of bridge strikes by changing the phases of the lights and installing a barrier.
New signal phasing
The lights used to allow traffic on the A350 to travel both north and south at the same time. The current (permanent signal) set up stops traffic travelling south when the northbound traffic has a green light – this allows northbound drivers of large vehicles wishing to turn left across Durweston Bridge to swing out across the southbound lane before making the turn.
Steel barrier
Vehicles making this manoeuvre can no longer drag their trailers on to the parapet on the inside due to heavy steel barrier that has been installed. This was the most frequent cause of damage.
Collision with the outside does still occur, but is less frequent and is not just a modern phenomenon.
Visibility
Rather than additional signing, we are going to be cutting back trees on the inside of the junction so that approaching HGV drivers can see the junction and tightness of the turn from further back on the approach.
Would lighting help?
Neither the A350 or A357 is lit. Due to the classification of road, the height and intensity of lighting (to comply with the minimum British Standard) would be very intrusive into an otherwise dark landscape.
As Durweston Bridge sits within the Cranborne Chase AONB – which is currently seeking its dark sky reserve status – any moves to add lighting would be likely to result in objection from environmental protection groups.
Even without these environmental impacts, there is currently no funding available for additional lighting requests.
What about maintenance to the bridge?
We’re hoping to carry out any repairs to the bridge during the four-week closure.
Would hope that you could also relieve the flood area on the A357 at the same time before it causes an accident. If you are unawre it collects opposite th fifth tree back from the bridge
Hi Mark, thanks for your comment, I’ll pass it on to the project team.
How are we expected to get to Durweston school from Blandford
Hi Linda, unfortunately you’ll have a longer drive during those four weeks – you may want to use the A350 then come into the village from Child Okeford and Shillingstone.
Please don’t even consider lighting on the bridge, the darkness is one of our treasures. Sue Read, shillingstone
Why can’t they use reflectors on the bridge so it’s more visible at night .
Hi Steve,
Sorry it’s taken a while to reply. I’ve just had an answer from our bridge team…
Reflectors are effective at providing advance warning on the approach to a hazard to make it more visible from a distance, however, the damage at Durweston is caused by poorly executed slow-speed manoeuvres; drivers are already aware of the bridge.
We’re increasing visibility on the inside of the turn from Blandford into Durweston by removing trees. This will make the sharpness of the turn, and the need for large vehicle to take a wide line, more apparent.
Is the work on Durweston Bridge stil witthin the £500,000 budget?
Hi C Allen, the flood arch replacement is still on budget. However, because other highway works have been completed while we’ve been replacing the culverts (embankments, bridge repairs, traffic signal upgrade) the overall cost of all highway works in the area is closer to £1m.
Was travelling back to Dorset from Yeovil, suddenly past Kings stag we were met with the Durlesdon bridge closure sign. This surely should have been posted earlier, horrible journey home. Please let people know at Sherborne!
When will the remaining work be completed and the temporary traffic lights be removed? Seems to be taking an awful long time since the road was re-opened to get the fencing and railings installed.