Two busy north Dorset routes have reopened today (31 May) following extensive surfacing and improvement works.
Zig Zag Hill on the B3081 has reopened following a two-week closure for resurfacing from White Pit Lane up to the top of the hill.
The C13 through Melbury Abbas has reopened following a five-month closure to replace the traffic signals in Dinahs Hollow and extensive cabling works to enable a vehicle activated sign (VAS) system to be installed for HGVs travelling through the village, as part of Dorset Council’s A350/C13 route management scheme.
Over the last 18 months, Dorset Highways has carried safety and drainage improvements, and surfacing work, at 14 locations on the A350 and C13 between Shaftesbury and Blandford.
Overall, the work has included:
- 51,680m2 or 5600 tonnes of surfacing
- 1,300m of data cables for traffic signals
- 27,000m of road markings
- over 270 new road signs
- 18 new village gateways
- eight speed limit changes
In Melbury Abbas, a new HGV pull-in has been put in place to work with the new vehicle activated sign (VAS) system, which will warn northbound drivers of an approaching southbound HGV. Work has also improved the signals in Dinah’s Hollow to make them permanent.
Councillor Ray Bryan, Dorset Council Portfolio Holder for Highways, Transport and Environment, said: “I’d like to thank residents in Melbury Abbas, and the many drivers inconvenienced, for their patience during this project.
“The unexpected hard-rock ground conditions experienced on site made laying cabling through the village a significant challenge, and the workers showed true professionalism under changing circumstances and with dangerous conditions – as many drivers chose to ignore the road closure.
“Unfortunately, we are still waiting for the specialist vehicle activated sign, which is being designed specifically for this scheme by a national company and should be installed in July.”
Previously, Dorset County Council Cabinet agreed on 6 December 2017 to continue with an advisory one-way system in place for HGVs travelling on the A350 and C13 – with northbound vehicles advised and directed to use the A350 and southbound vehicles advised and directed to use the C13.
Alongside the advisory one-way flow of HGVs along the A350 and C13, the completed programme of works will significantly improve safety, and journey times, at key locations.
Cllr Bryan added: “The work on the C13, along with the advisory one-way system on the A350/C13 is a medium-term solution – getting these two roads to work together, as best as they can, to serve north Dorset communities.
“We’re continuing to work with neighbouring authorities to push for a long-term solution for the north-south connectivity from the M4 to Poole Port to support Dorset’s economy, and provide more suitable infrastructure for this busy route.”
Detailed design is continuing on the Gore Clump junction improvement, with the aim of building it in autumn 2019.
How can you re open the C13 after all this time when work is not complete as the automatic electronic system will not be completed for another couple of weeks, this is a joke
What will be the best way to get from Blandford to Sturminster Newton when the road closes?
Hi Commuter, the official diversion route will be signposted along the A350.
How on earth did it take so long to do so little ?
Question re. vehicle activated sign (VAS) system for HGVs on A350 – I can’t find anything in the Highway Code but I assume the VAS is only aimed at other HGV or wide vehicles ie when the sign shows you pull over if you’re in a HGV and carry on if you’re in a normal vehicle.
Just checking as different people have different opinions.