A SPECIAL meeting has been held to discuss how to minimise the chaos set to be caused by roadworks on a main artery into Purbeck.

Repairs are to be carried out along the A351, between Wareham and Holton Heath, from October 8, reducing it to one lane and even closing it altogether for a fortnight.

County council officers met with concerned district and parish representatives at Wareham Town Hall and a number of measures to lessen the impact were proposed.

They include placing signs further afield to warn motorists well in advance and informing local businesses so they can make allowances for unavoidable traffic delays.

Dorset County Council's Geoff Brierley, member for strategic planning and transportation, said: "We will make every effort to put these measures in place.

"Although councillors agree the works are needed, they are concerned about the level of disruption they will cause, especially on the immediate residential and business communities."

The scheme is programmed to last for six weeks and will seriously impact on all traffic moving to and from Purbeck from the A35 Bakers Arms roundabout.

Stop and go' traffic controls will be used for four of the six weeks, with the road shut completely for the other two weeks.

To add to the problems, during the first two weeks of the roadworks, the B3075 Morden Road will also be closed to through traffic.

Work will commence daily, 7.30am to 5.30pm, from October 8 until November 18.

Dorset County Council says the road is in dire need of repair and work is essential to stop it breaking up.