A BUSY roundabout in Dorset will close for three days for major resurfacing works – and the official diversion route will take drivers on a 37.4-mile trip around the county.

Woolbridge Roundabout, on the A352 Wareham Road in Wool will be closed to allow Dorset Council to resurface the key roundabout.

The roundabout will be closed completely in both directions from 9am on Friday, April 23 until 6am on Monday, April 26.

Dorset Council says the road closure will allow its maintenance crews to safely carry out essential maintenance and resurfacing work on the roundabout.

Travel Dorset has published the official diversion route online, which will take approximately 54 minutes to follow.

Bournemouth Echo: A352 Woolbridge Roundabout in Wool will be closed for three days for resurfacing. Picture: GoogleA352 Woolbridge Roundabout in Wool will be closed for three days for resurfacing. Picture: Google

Residents and businesses in the area have also been notified of the roadworks and subsequent road closure and diversion route.

To bypass the road closure, drivers must head north-east on A352/Wareham Road for almost four miles before taking the first exit at the Worgret Roundabout onto A351.

Motorists will follow the road for a short distance before taking the second exit on the Saxon Roundabout to stay on the A351.

Drivers will travel on the A351 for under a mile before taking the first exit at the Blackhill Roundabout to drive onto the A351.

From here, motorists will drive towards the first exit onto A35 and continue on the road until they reach Poole Hill Roundabout, from which they must take the second exit to stay on the A35.

Drivers should stay on the A35 before using the second exit on Stinsford Roundabout to stay on A35, before turning left on to the A352.

Motorists should take the third exit at the roundabout to stay on A352 and take the second exit on the next roundabout.

Bournemouth Echo: The official diversion route for the A352 Woolbridge Roundabout closure. Picture: Dorset CouncilThe official diversion route for the A352 Woolbridge Roundabout closure. Picture: Dorset Council

After travelling on the A352 for nearly four miles, motorists must take the second exit at Warmwell Cross Roundabout and follow the A352 for another 5.4 miles.

At the roundabout, drivers should take the second exit and stay on A352 Wareham Road and then later turn left to stay on Wareham Road/A352.

Dorset Council say the reason for the length of the diversion is because the closure is on an A-road and therefore any official alternative route must use the same class of road.

Alternatively, there are a number of shorter but unofficial routes that drivers can take to avoid the road closure. These are not suitable for HGVs and should be avoided if using larger machinery.

A smaller diversion route posted by Dorset Council shows drivers must travel onto Tout Hill and Southbrook towards Bere Regis.

Dorset Council warns that any person who breaches the road closure could be convicted or face a fine not exceeding £1,000.

The diversion route will be signposted on the road.

Anyone with any concerns or wish to discuss any issues regarding the roadworks can contact Dorset Council online via http://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/roadworks/enquiries