A YEAR of roadworks is due to begin on the A31 from January 1.

Highways England is to start a planned 12 month programme of 'cyclical maintenance', focussing on drainage, lighting, signage, surveys, clearance of vegetation, litter picking, road sweeping and weed removal.

Some such works have already been undertaken on junctions around Ringwood and Verwood, seeing signs improved and drainage systems surveyed.

A 12 month traffic order is due to come into force on New Year's Day. It will allow for the phased overnight closure of the trunk road between the M27 Junction 1 and the Bere Regis roundabout, where it joins the A35.

The order, which ends on December 23, 2018, also applies to slip roads and junctions.

The Highways England notice says the closures "are in the interests of road safety while contractors undertake a 12-month programme of planned cyclical maintenance".

"The duration of each closure will vary depending on the nature of the maintenance work being undertaken on each occasion," the statement says.

"The programme of works will start on or after January 1.

"The overnight closures will be in operation between 9pm and 6am (maximum period)."

During closures traffic will be diverted via other roads including the A35, A326, A3060, A338 Spur Road, A347, A348, A337, A341, A350, A349 and the A341.

Highways England has also imposed a separate order allowing for three weeks of roadworks on the slip road leading to the westbound carriageway of the A31 at Ringwood.

The slip road will be closed overnight between 9pm to 6am from January 15 for around three weeks.

Traffic will be diverted via the A31 eastbound, Poulner Hill and Southampton Road.

Upcoming closures include the A31 westbound Ashley Heath entry slip road from January 5-6 and the A31 westbound West Moors to Ameysford lane closure from January 19 to February 3, both due to sign works.

One lane will be closed on the Canford Bottom roundabout from February 28 to March 1 for street lighting works, and the A31 will be subject to temporary traffic lights westbound between Ameysford and Canford Bottom from January 5-6 for vegetation clearance.