Some of Dorset Council’s busiest roads will be refreshed this June.
Over three weeks, Dorset Highways contractor – Eurovia Specialist Treatments – will carry out premium surface dressing on large sections of ‘A’ and ‘B’ roads, protecting them from water damage and keeping them in a good condition for longer.
Many of these roads have already had patching completed on them over the last 12 months – repairing any defects – in preparation for this treatment.
Work will be carried out off-peak between 9am and 4pm, with most sites using stop/go boards and convoy working, where a vehicle – travelling at 10mph – will lead drivers through the works area.
Councillor Ray Bryan, Dorset Council Portfolio Holder for Highways, Transport and Environment, said:
“We’re continuing to use a range of road surface treatments to ensure the best repair is selected, depending on each road’s individual condition.
“Surface dressing is an ideal way to restore road surfaces where the road is in an otherwise good condition, rather than spending money on resurfacing and removing perfectly healthy layers of road.
“There are some misconceptions about surface dressing, but it is a long-term treatment to prolong the life of our roads, and it is cost effective, meaning we can repair more of our network.”
Works details
All our scheduled work can be viewed on the roadworks map.
Due to the wet and changeable weather our original programme of works has been thrown out the window – we are continuing to assess the forecast and rearrange dates.
Eurovia has provided us with new dates for our many premium surface dressing sites which we are currently working towards.
Please look out for advance notice signs, which will be updated as the weather plays with us. Will we endeavour to keep this page as up to date as possible.
A357 – Sturminster Newton to west of Puxey Lane junction – DONE
convoy working with stop/go boards, 3 June
B3145 – Marston Road, Sherborne – DONE
convoy working with stop/go boards, 4 June
A3066 – Gore Cross Roundabout to north of Melplash – DONE
convoy working with stop/go boards, 6 & 7 June
B3157 – Burton Bradstock to Swyre – DONE
convoy working with stop/go boards, 13 & 14 June
A356 – junction with A37 to west of Frampton – DONE
convoy working with stop/go boards, 15 June
A352 – Owermoigne to Wool – DONE
convoy working with stop/go boards, 15 June & 16 June
New dates
A37 – from south of Grimstone to Stratton – DONE
convoy working with stop/go boards, 20 June
A37 – Stratton (where the road splits) to Sodern Lane – DONE
convoy working with stop/go boards, 21 June
A356 – Winyards Gap, South Perrott – DONE
road closed 9am to 4pm, 24 June
C2, Horton Road – Three Legged Cross to Ashley Heath – DONE
road closed 9am to 4pm, 25/26 June
A354 – Winterborne Kingston to Thornicombe – DONE
convoy working with stop/go boards, 27 June to 28 June
A354 – Milborne St Andrew to Winterborne Whitchurch – DONE
convoy working with stop/go boards, 29 June
A354 – Basan Hill to Milborne St Andrew – DONE
convoy working with stop/go boards, 30 June
A353 – Warmwell Roundabout to Poxwell – DONE
convoy working with stop/go boards, 1 July
A352 – Max Gate to Broadmayne, Dorchester – DONE
convoy working with stop/go boards, 2 July
A37 – Long Ash Lane from 30mph signs to north of Grimstone
convoy working with stop/go boards, 3 July
Councillor Bryan added: “Please allow extra time for your journey, or find an alternatively route, as the convoy working will slow traffic down considerably.”
A small surplus of loose chippings will remain on the surface for up to 48 hours. This will be removed by a suction sweeper.
This work is weather dependent and dates may be subject to change.
It’s good to see decrepit old flood arches replaced by durable rectangular RC boxes with generous flood capacity and to see bigger embankments which when grown over with grass and bushes will in no way be unsightly.
What is going to happen to the lovely old river bridge which is so often damaged by errant HGV’s and being subject to signal control causes delays?
Hi Mr Peters, 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.
The description of the site to be surface dressed on 3 June should refer to Puxey Lane, NOT Puxley Lane.
Hi David, sorry about that – I’ll change it now. Thank you
When will consideration be given to improving road surface of residential roads. I live in Apple Tree Grove Ferndown and road surface is abysmal, also Woodside Road. Damage will be caused to our vehicles. Please consider some remedial action as soon as possible. Thank you x
Hi Pauline, thank you for your comments. The best thing is to report this damage using our online form: https://dorset-self.achieveservice.com/service/Report-a-pothole This will be passed on to the local community highway officer who will assess it for repair.
What is now the estimated date for completion of the work on the A338?
Hi C Sharples, our colleagues at BCP Council have told us they are on track to complete the work in June. You can find up to date information on the progress of the scheme here: https://news.dorsetforyou.gov.uk/big-road-schemes/
What’s the latest regarding the closure through Melbury Abbas Dinah’s Hollow please?
Hi AlanBG, the C13 through Melbury Abbas should be open Friday evening.
Will there be access to Moors Valley while the work is carried out between 3X and Ashley Heath?
Hi Jo, I’m told you’ll still be able to access Moors Valley although there will be some delay while a task is finished to ensure safe access.
when displaying info boards re upcoming surface dressing would it be possible to also state if the road is to be closed. recently the leigh to yetminster road was closed without prior notice , no diversion posted, why!
Hi Kevin, sorry about this – all works should have advance yellow boards warning of the scheduled closure. I’ll pass your comments on to our works manager for him to look into.
When can one expect you to direct your attention to the roads in Ferndown and in particular Victoria Gardens. Due to the considerable increase in the
number of vehicles,including council lorries,using this road as a “rat run “and ameans of avoiding the traffic hold -ups in Wimborne Road East, the road surface is being worn away. Furthermore the edge of the road breaking up , in particular, at the point of exit from individual driveways.
These conditions and the root cause have been reported severl times before but, as expected, ignored.
Quite frankly the deplorable state of the road surface and the added problem of the abundant amount of weeds in the gutters in certain points
makes the whole place a total discraceand the unacceptable volume of traffic is not helping.
Hi David, unfortunately Victoria Gardens is not currently on our programme for a road surface treatment.
I’m sorry you feel that previous complaints have not been acted on. The best thing is to report road damage using our online form: https://dorset-self.achieveservice.com/service/Report-a-pothole This will be passed on to the local community highway officer who will assess the road for any ‘actionable defects’ that need repair, and recommend it for any further action if necessary.
Usual negative reply about Ferndown roads and pavements and always ignored
Beaufoys Avenue , top of Willow Way Queens Road Ferndown are all a disgrace and have not been repaired in 20 years.
When verges are cut pavements are never swept.
Whole area is disgusting but council tax keeps rising.
Bopards for the A356 Winyards Gap / South Perrott appear to say closed for 4 days from 24th June – is that correct please?
Hi R coppinger, the road should be treated today and take only one day…I think due to the unsettled weather our contractor is trying to give motorists a window that they aim to get the road done. Sorry for the confusion.
We need information about bridge / road works at Sturminster Newton from today til July 8th. We have an Open Day event at Fiddleford, this weekend, so need to explain to volunteers and visitors what route to take. What kind of roadworks are planned?
The following weekend is the UK Boogie Woogie Festival in Sturminster Newton, so many visitors will already have been routed around Durweston Bridge road closure, to access the town (many travel from across the country and Europe – hence our concerns re transport times). Further delays/diversions/closures etc on Sturminster Bridge could affect our timetables. Also there are likely to be many pedestrians using pavement access to Sturminster Mill, via the Bridge, and we wish to ensure a safe route for them to attend events at the Mill, particularly Saturday Morning, July 6th.
Hi J L O’Connell, the best way to find out about all scheduled work on the highway is to use our online roadworks map: https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/travel/travel-dorset/roadworks-closures-and-events-map.aspx
Alternatively, our traffic team may be able to help you: trafficteam@dorsetcc.gov.uk