A MAJOR Dorset road which has been closed for several weeks due to repairs to a collapsed sewer will reopen this weekend.

The A357 at Shillingstone, near Blandford Forum, will reopen on Saturday after Wessex Water workers carried out sewer maintenance.

Wessex Water teams have been working extended hours to repair a collapsed sewer since Sunday, January 31, with two sections of the Blandford Road closed and diversions in place.

As well as emergency repairs, a 60m section of pipe has been lined to prolong the life of the sewer. This will allow the road to reopen at 9am on Saturday – two days earlier than planned.

A Wessex Water spokesman said: “This was a complex repair and lining job which has been successfully completed without impacting on our customers’ sewerage services.

“We appreciate the road closure and diversion will have affected those needing to make essential journeys and we thank them for their patience and understanding.

"We’re sorry for any delays caused.”