ONE of the main routes into a Dorset town will be closed for three nights due to roadworks - with an official diversion of almost 25 miles announced.
B3082 Wimborne Road, in Langton Long near Blandford, will shut to allow Dorset Council to resurface the key route which serves as one of the routes into the town and towards Wimborne Minster.
A 200-metre stretch of the road near Two Gates Roundabout will be closed in both directions from 8pm until 6am on Monday, April 26 until Thursday, April 29.
A public notice from Dorset Council states the road closure will allow its maintenance crews to safely carry out the carriageway maintenance and resurfacing works.
Travel Dorset has published the official 24.8-mile diversion route online, which will take approximately 37 minutes to follow.
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, motorists must travel east on B3082 Wimborne Road for more than eight miles before taking the first exit at the roundabout for B3073 West Street.
Motorists must follow B3073 West Street and turn left which it becomes B3078 West Borough.
Drivers will continue on this road for 5.8 miles before turning left at Horton Inn and follow the road until they reach the junction for A354.
After turning left onto A354, motorists will follow this route and take the first exit at the Hill Top Roundabout to stay on A354.
Dorset Council say the reason for the length of the diversion is because the closure is on a B-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.
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
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