MAJOR roadworks are set to begin on Monday as the A338 rebuild gets under way.

Dorset County Council is to start work on a stretch of the Spur Road between Ashley Heath and Blackwater on Monday, with the dual carriageway down to one lane in each direction from 6am.

Councillor Peter Finney, cabinet member for environment, said: “We know that the first day, and even the first few weeks, will be the most difficult while drivers find their new routine.

“The best way to ensure you get to your destination on time is to think carefully about the time you’re travelling, the route you’re taking or changing your mode of transport.

“At the very least, you should allow plenty of extra time for your journey.”

Preparation work has been under way since January to get as much done as possible before construction.

This work will intensify over the next two weeks as areas previously inaccessible due to traffic can now be worked in.

The first fortnight of work will focus on removing any remaining trees obstructing the work and installing traffic management, speed cameras and CCTV. The site compound will also be prepared with a new access road built for it.

Today, the county council said overnight closures planned for Sunday and Monday night were no longer needed,; a rolling lane closure will be used instead.

On Monday night, Blackwater southbound on-slip will be shut from 8pm for several hours for CCTV installation.

On Friday, there will now be an overnight full road closure of the A338 from Cooper Dean to Blackwater – 8pm to 6am - the council said.

Between Tuesday and Saturday, there will be overnight closures of the northbound carriageway from 8pm to 6am for resurfacing work north of the Blackwater junction.

Cllr Finney said: “The compound will become an intrinsic part of the operation – where all the material will be recycled on site and prepared for reuse – and the stretch of resurfacing we’re doing is also essential to ensure the smooth running of the contraflow, helping the failing road to last a few more months more before we rebuild it.”

The northbound carriageway will also be closed overnight on September 18 and 19 from 8pm to 6am and a full road closure will be in place on September 20 from 8pm to 6am to change the traffic management layout.

From Monday, September 21, the contraflow will be in place on the northbound carriageway.

We’ll be live-blogging from 6am on September 7 to keep you up to date with traffic issues, closure updates and general information. Bookmark bournemouthecho.co.uk/A338 for all our coverage.