‘SCHEDULING issues’ mean parts of a busy Christchurch road will be closed to traffic for nine days starting next week.

Despite initially saying Castle Street and Bridge Street would reopen in the evenings during work on the busy main route, Dorset County Council now says it will be closed to traffic from Thursday until Friday, February 27.

The closure is part of the ongoing work on the route by the county council, BT and Scottish Southern Energy (SSE).

The road was closed last Monday, with temporary signals next week to allow BT Openreach to carry out their work replacing services at Town Bridge.

The closure was initially due to be between 9am and 4pm and excluding the weekend.

But earlier this week, the county council changed the arrangements, saying the ‘waterproofing process will not allow the road to be completely reopened’.

A spokesperson said: “Due to some scheduling issues, caused by balancing the work of three organisations, the highways team have moved their work around.

“By doing this we will still be on schedule to finish by February 27, weather permitting.

“The bridge is closed to traffic between February 19 to 27 because the surface needs to be removed and is unable to be driven on.

“A signed diversion will be in place for this closure.”

Cllr Nick Geary, lead member for transportation at Christchurch council said he was “disappointed” by the news.

“I hope the businesses along that stretch of road won’t be too adversely affected by this,” he added.

The diversion route will use the High street, Christchurch by-pass and Stony Lane.