THE A35 Upton Bypass will be down to one lane in both directions as the second phase of major bridge protection works are carried out.

The 14-week programme of work starts on the night of Sunday, January 14, and will see the westbound and eastbound ‘slow’ lanes closed.

There will also be a 30mph speed limit through the works area and a 50mph speed limit leading into the works area on the approach from Poole and from the Bakers Arms Roundabout.

Drivers are being warned to allow extra time for their commute when the work starts as delays are expected.

Over the 14 weeks, engineers will be installing concrete barriers to protect the A350 bridge piers (legs) in the verge.

It follows the first stage of work carried out in January 2017 to replace steel barriers surrounding the vulnerable ‘stiletto’ bridge legs in the central reservation with higher concrete ones. The carriageways were also widened and realigned under the A350 overbridges.

The £1m scheme is part of Dorset County Council’s ongoing programme – following a change in national standards around eight years ago – of protecting bridge piers that could be demolished if they were hit by a large vehicle.

The piers of the A350 overbridges and Brickworks Bridge in the verge will now be protected.

There will also be improvements made to the A35 westbound drainage, some A350 bridge edge plinths will be replaced, and the Upton Bypass under the A350 bridges will be resurfaced at the end of the work.

Councillor Daryl Turner, cabinet member for the natural and built environment, is urging motorists to adhere to the temporary speed limits during the works after issues with speeding during the first phase.

He said: “During our work last year, journey times increased by around twenty minutes, so please allow for your commute to take longer.

“I’d also urge drivers to allow others to merge in turn – particularly those joining the A35 from the A350 – to help traffic flow.

“During our first stage of works, we had incidents of drivers speeding through the roadworks – putting everyone at risk – so Dorset Safety Camera Partnership will be regularly monitoring the site.

“We’re sorry for the inevitable inconvenience this work will cause but it is important that we protect the bridge piers,” he added.