MOTORISTS are braced for 15 weeks of disruption on one of Dorset’s busiest roads.

Work on the A35 Upton bypass between the Baker’s Arms roundabout and the Upton junction starts on November 5 and will go on until March.

It includes the strengthening of the Policeman’s Lane Bridge which links Upton and Lytchett – as well as verge clearance, resurfacing and central reservation and barrier repairs.

The £1m scheme is being carried out by Dorset Council Council and coincides with 10 weeks of congestion on Blandford Road, Poole, where Wessex Water is replacing the existing water main.

The A35 work is being undertaken in three phases and will involve night time closure for resurfacing and barrier repairs and some daytime restrictions including a 40mph speed |limit and traffic down to a single lane.

The bridge has been assessed as “under strength” in the event of a vehicle colliding with one of its 15 support columns.

Each of the columns, five each on the east, centre and west side of the bypass, will be reinforced as will safety barriers.

All the road resurfacing is taking place overnight.

The essential work is being extended to include extensive maintenance by Dorset High-ways.

The signed diversion route during the eastbound and westbound closures will be through Lytchett Minster and Upton.

Around 36,000 vehicles use this stretch of the A35 each day.

Head of Dorset Highways Operations, Andrew Martin, said: “The work on the bridge is essential, but we are bringing forward the wider highway maintenance at the same time.

“Doing all this at once will save about three weeks of traffic management.”

Dorset’s cabinet member for transportation, Cllr Peter Finney, added: “This is a very busy road so disruption is inevitable.

“We are asking people to plan ahead, allow extra time and use different routes if possible.”

What to expect

THE roadworks will run from Monday, November 5 to Friday March 22.

Phase 1 – eastbound works (towards Poole)
Nov 5: Five works of work to strengthen the Policeman’s Lane Bridge eastbound support columns and replace the safety barrier in front of the columns.
Nov 5-17: Night-time road closure of eastbound lanes for surfacing works and barrier repairs.
Nov 5-Dec 7: Nearside lane closed, with all traffic in the outside lane at 40mph, for tree maintenance and drainage works.

Phase 2a – westbound works (towards Dorchester)
Jan 14: Five weeks of work to strengthen Policeman’s Lane Bridge westbound support columns and replace the safety barrier in front of the columns.
Jan 14-Feb 15: Nearside lane closed, with all traffic in the outside lane at 40mph, for tree maintenance, drainage work and barrier repairs.


Phase 2b – central works
Feb 18-Mar 22: Five weeks of work to strengthen Policeman’s Lane Bridge central support columns.
Feb 18-Mar 15: Eastbound and westbound fast lanes closed for repairs to central reservation and some drainage works.
Mar 11-22: Westbound night-time closure for surfacing works.