A “LAST ditch attempt” is to be made to postpone a road closure that will divert traffic near a primary school in a tiny North Dorset village.

Community leaders in Hazelbury Bryan will come face-to-face with County Hall highways chiefs on Friday (22) in a bid to put back the closure of Marsh Lane until children at Hazelbury Bryan primary school have started their summer holidays.

As previously reported in the Daily Echo, Marsh Lane is due to close for three weeks from June 8, sending traffic along the narrow Thickthorne and Churchfoot Lanes.

Blackmore Vale councillor, David Fox, who represents the village at County Hall, described the planned diversion as “chaotic and dangerous.”

“It would be impossible for two large vehicles to pass at all in most of Churchfoot Lane leading to a back-up of traffic - potentially at peak times for school runs to Hazelbury Bryan and Sturminster Newton High School.

“Just as importantly, most local drivers going to Kings Stag or Sturminster Newton would ignore any diversion along Churchfoot Lane and simply continue past the school, through Droop and down Pidney Hill,” said Cllr Fox.

But Cllr Geoffrey Brierly, the cabinet member for highways at Dorset County Council, said the council’s work on bridges was governed by seasonal considerations.

“The council has a programme of work for bridges which can only be repaired when the water level is low. This is agreed with the Environment Agency,” said Col Brierley.

Officers would be discussing ways with school and community representatives to mitigate the impact of the road closure and repair work, he added.

“This not the only bridge we have near a school. If you change the programme to repair it during the school holidays, other work will be affected,” said Col Brierley.