A338 Blackwater works: what you need to know

What are they doing?

This is the first part of three separate elements to improve congestion from Blackwater Junction on the B3073.

This will (hopefully) improve journey times and traffic flow.

The works on the East junction will include re-configuring part of the B3073 along with the construction of additional lanes.

Improvements to footpath and cycleway facilities and the drainage system have already started on the Christchurch side of the junction.

The West junction is scheduled to begin in Spring 2018.

How long is it going to take?

The work at the East junction is predicted to take around nine months to complete.

What is happening this week?

From this Monday, night works will begin between 8pm and 6am, with closures of the sliproads for the A338 southbound and the nearside lane on the A338. Diversion signs will be in place.

And then?

From September 11, a lane closure will be in place on the B3073 westbound during off-peak hours from 9.30am until 3.30pm to enable the construction of the road widening on the north side.

This will continue until the end of September.

What happens after September?

Work will move to the west side of the junction and will involve building a retaining wall to allow the widening of the road.

This is due to complete in November.

There will be a lane closure during 9.30am until 3.30pm.

Why couldn't they do this at the same time as the other A338 roadworks?

Basically because they are two very different projects.

The previous work was to resurface and improve the structure of the road- hence the extended time frame. This is to relieve congestion to enable future works.

Who is carrying out the work?

The scheme is led by Bournemouth Borough Council working jointly with Dorset County Council.

What are the other schemes planned for the A338?

A proposed new junction at Wessex Fields: funding is in place for the half junction already.

This essentially involves creating a new link directly from the A338 to connect with the Wessex Fields business park, and provide a second route into Royal Bournemouth Hospital.

Bournemouth council is due to start construction of this in 2019, if planning permission is granted.

• Phase two of the Holdenhurst roadworks would see a second sliproad constructed on the eastbound side of the A338, connected to phase one via a new bridge replacing the old footbridge. Funding for this part of the project is not yet in place.

How long will this work last?

This programme of works for the three schemes runs to 2020/21. Yes, really. But funding is not yet in place for the second phase AND permission hasn't been granted for the first phase yet either.