PART of the A31 in Dorset will be closed for 17 weeks overnight when drainage works take place next month.

Highways England, who are responsible for the road, said works would take place between the A31 Bere Regis roundabout and the Red Post junction.

They are due to start on November 9 and continue for 17 weeks.

It comes as work on the A338 Spur Road continues, with schemes also taking place on Ham Lane and the A348 Ringwood Road in Ferndown during this time.

A spokesperson for Highways England said: "The works on the A31 are for drainage works.

"The scheme is the second phase of planned works between the A31/A35 Bere Regis Roundabout to the Red Post junction.

"The scheme is to prevent reoccurring flooding, in turn reducing the amount of future pavement repairs required along this stretch.

"The scheme is due to start on November 9 and is estimated to last for 17 weeks.

"All works will be carried out using weeknight closures between 9pm and 6am. No weekend working is expected at this time.

"Although alternative forms of traffic management have been considered to keep the road open, due to the road being a single lane – and the narrowness of the historic road – the decision has been made to close the road overnight while the work is carried for the safety of both the workforce and road users."

The works could continue until mid-February.

This would coincide with the next major stage of the A338 Spur Road work.

From January 4 until February the top part of the southbound carriage will be closed with traffic heading south diverted onto the contraflow on the northbound carriageway.