Dorset Roundabout To Close This Weekend

4 October 2013, 07:46 | Updated: 4 October 2013, 07:49

One of Dorset's busiest roundabouts is going to be closed off for the whole of this weekend from 7 tonight.

The Bakers Arms Roundabout on the A35 is being completely resurfaced and will reopen at 6am on Monday. 

Electricity and waterworks are being carried out too. 

The roundabout will be completely rebuilt and its drainage improved to address flooding problems. 

To minimise inconvenience the work will be carried out by crews working triple shifts over a single weekend, avoiding a longer contract period involving work during daylight hours through the week. 

Essential utility works by Wessex Water and SSE will also be carried out at the site over the same period. 

Hilary Cox, Dorset County Council's Cabinet member for environment, said: "We have given careful consideration on how to manage traffic flows during this project. 

''The decision to close for a whole weekend took into account many factors including traffic levels, commuters, school buses and local businesses. 

''We recognise that this closure will cause some difficulties for people locally, but the road surface is in a bad way and will not survive another winter.

"During the weekend the team will remove and replace more than 2,800 tonnes of material, with all the old material being recycled for use in other projects. 

"This is an extremely busy roundabout. By doing this now we will protect the carriageway for at least the next 20 years.

There is up-to-date travel information on www.dorsetforyou.com/traveldorset and on twitter @TravelDorset.

A fully signed diversion route will be in operation.