Summer work to maintain Dorset’s roads

This month, Dorset Highways will start carrying 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 work completed on them over the last 12 months – repairing any structural defects – in preparation for this work to extend the life and quality of Dorset's roads.

Work will be carried out between 9.30am and 3.30pm under convoy working, where a vehicle – travelling at 10mph – will lead drivers through the works area. There will be no on street parking available during the work.

Drivers are being advised to allow extra time for their journey or find an alternative route, as the convoy working will slow traffic down considerably.

Jack Wiltshire, Dorset Council Head of Highways, said: "After the work has finished an advisory 20mph speed limit will be in place while the stone chippings are further bedded-in by vehicles travelling over the surface. Our sweeper crew will remove any surplus chippings 48 hours later.

"Please drive slowly over the new surface and leave increased space between vehicles – the low speed limit is in place for the safety of road users.

"Surface dressing forms a vital part of our annual road maintenance programme, alongside micro-surfacing, in-situ recycling and resurfacing treatments. Using this variety of treatments means more of our roads get repaired with the budget available, compared to using resurfacing alone."

This year's sites will form a rolling programme that is weather dependent, with yellow advance notice boards put in place on site two days in advance to confirm dates of the work and ensure no roadside parking in the area for the period of work.

28 & 29 JuneA352, Middlemarsh – parish boundary north of Tall Trees Farm, Longburton to Middlemarsh

29 & 30 JuneOttery Lane & Horsecastles, Sherborne

30 June to 2 JulyBristol Road, Sherborne

5 JulyA350, Blandford – A357 to Whitecliff Mill Hill

6 & 7 JulyA354 – Pimperne to Tarrant Hinton

7 & 8 JulyB3081, Cranborne – Handley Hill Roundabout to Creech Hill Farm

9 JulyB3081, Verwood – Sutton Hill Camp Site to Remedy Gate

9 & 12 JulyRingwood Road, Verwood – Merryfield Close Roundabout to Lake Road

12 JulyRingwood Road, Verwood – Lake Road to county boundary

13 JulyB3081, Verwood Road – Hampshire boundary to A31 on-slip

14 JulyWimborne Road, Corfe Mullen

14 & 15 JulyOld Wareham Road, Corfe Mullen – A350 Blandford Road North to Springdale Road Roundabout

15 & 18 JulyMorden Road – Sherford Bridge to A351 Sandford Road Roundabout

19 JulyDorchester Road, Wool – Burton Cross Roundabout to Jct Baileys Drove

19 & 20 JulyMain Road, Osmington – west of White Horse Chalet to Jct C42 Mills Road

Resurfacing work is also continuing across the county.