RESIDENTS have spoken out ahead of a road closure that is due to last almost four weeks.

Wharncliffe Road in Highcliffe is set be closed next month for 26 days after Glossbrook Builders requested permission from Dorset County Council to connect foul and storm water systems from a new property to the main network.

The road will be shut off near the turning with Wharncliffe Gardens from Monday, November 19 to Friday, December 14.

Members of Highcliffe Residents Association have hit out at the length of the road closure, as well as the impact builders are having by parking on pavements while developments are being carried out.

A statement from the group said: “The Highcliffe Residents Association understands that this work needs to be done, but to allow 26 days is far too long to have this important road closed, especially as it will involve traffic having to pass through already busy thoroughfares.

“We currently have three major building works going on within a few metres of each other, which is far too much.

“The number of tradesmen’s vehicles parked at random in the road is making the road akin to an obstacle course and is nothing short of dangerous, with no less that 30 vehicles parked there at times making the passage of other vehicles almost impossible.”

While Wharncliffe Road is closed traffic will be diverted down Waterford Road and along the already busy A337 Lymington Road.

Highcliffe Residents Association discussed the issue with Dorset County councillor Lesley Dedman, who had already raised her concerns about the duration of the work with the highways team.

Cllr Dedman has been critical in the past of the duration schemes have taken around the borough and called on the council to shorten the time given for the Wharncliffe Road work to be completed.

“They are not likely to hurry with works if they have all the time in the world,” Cllr Dedman said.

“Wharncliffe Road is used by a lot of people.

“At the moment I am trying to push the county to reduce the time allocated for this work. Hopefully something can be done because I share the residents’ concerns.”

“If you allow them to have so much time they will use it.”