Driver's Being Warned Of Roadworks

Advance work on the A31 Canford Bottom junction improvement scheme is underway, but drivers wont be affected til October.

The preliminary work beginning on Monday 19 September on the junction between Wimborne and Ferndown will involve enabling activities, including surveys, and the establishment of a site compound on the nearby Ferndown Industrial Estate.

Main construction is scheduled to begin in October. The project is expected to take around 34 weeks to complete.

Neil Andrew, Highways Agency asset manager, said:

"This work involves preparations for the main construction, which is scheduled to start in October, but this phase of the work is not expected to have any major impact on road users on either the A31 or the local roads.

"The main work will start in October and will be carried out mostly overnight when traffic flows are lowest, to keep disruption to a minimum. Strict procedures are in place to ensure all noise levels are kept within the limits agreed with the local authority, and noise levels will be monitored throughout the work.

"The A31 Canford Bottom junction is a busy interchange with significant congestion at peak times and weekends, resulting in long traffic queues on the approaches. The scheme aims to reduce congestion, both from the A31 and from local roads, and make the junction safer. New signing, road markings and traffic lights will be installed, as well as new pedestrian and cyclist facilities which will link the local communities on either side of the A31."

The Highways Agency said in a statement:

The improvements will be completed ahead of the London 2012 Games. It will involve some temporary overnight closures of the A31 trunk road and the local roads on the approach to, and exiting the junction, and these will be timed for when traffic flows are at their lowest. There will also be some day time closures of the four local roads on the approach to and exiting the junction; and a temporary restricted speed limit of 30mph in place for the safety of road users and workers. Clearly signed diversions will be in place during the road closures.