WORK on a busy Christchurch roundabout is set to cause disruption to drivers as the roundabout is partially closed over five days.

Resurfacing works of Somerford Roundabout will take place from January 31 to February 5 with two 'phases' of work taking place over this period.

Somerford will be the first location in the BCP area to benefit from the introduction of a hard-wearing ‘grouted asphalt’ material which combats the increased wear and tear associated with roundabouts.

The council has also arranged for the installation of an SSE fibre optic cable on Christchurch Bypass to take place at the same time to avoid further disruption.

What is happening? 

One half of the roundabout and its approaches will be resurfaced during each phase and one-way road closures permitting the continued use of the roundabout for certain routes will occur.

The roundabout will remain closed to traffic for a period after the completion of each section to provide sufficient time for the surfacing material to cure.

Despite expected disruptions, Councillor Lesley Dedman is optimistic about the works taking place.

She said: "We in Christchurch are very pleased to be the first in BCP to get our Somerford Roundabout resurfaced in this new hard wearing material which will combat the wear caused by much increased traffic in our area. We are also very pleased that we have arranged for the cabling needed in the area by SSE to be installed at the same time so that we only have one period of disruption.

"That the work is being done during the lockdown period means that there is far less use by local traffic, so this is an ideal time to undertake this very necessary repair.

"I hope local people who have to use the road will not find too much disruption and that they will understand the need for it."

When is it happening?

This maintenance will take place from 7pm on Sunday, January 31 until 7pm on Friday, February 5, with road closures taking place as necessary during this period.

The first phase of the programme will begin at 7pm on Sunday, January 31 and end at 6am on Wednesday, February 3.

The north side of the roundabout will be closed.

The A35 Christchurch Bypass will be closed eastbound only; A35 Lyndhurst Rd will be closed southbound at roundabout; there will be no access to A337 Highcliffe Rd and Somerford Avenue will have a temporary access arrangement.

Phase two will start at 7am on Wednesday, February 3 and will end at 7pm on Friday, February 5.

The south side of roundabout will be closed and the A35 Christchurch Bypass will be closed westbound.

The A337 Highcliffe Road will be closed westbound at Hoburne roundabout; B3059 Somerford Road will be closed northbound on approach to roundabout and Grange Road will have temporary access arrangement during this period.

Will I be affected? 

Emergency services, residents and other parties affected by the works are being informed and advanced warning signs are set to be placed on site.

Access to residential and business addresses, such as Sainsbury’s and Stewart’s Garden Centre, will be maintained and bus routes will be temporarily diverted.

Users are advised to check with providers before travelling.

Heavy Goods Vehicles will experience a lengthy diversion as legislation requires these to be located along major roads only.

No formal diversions will be in place for local traffic due to concerns that HGVs might follow them.

Instead, local drivers - those who have a ‘reasonable excuse’ for travelling - are relied upon to find their way around the closures.