Drivers planning to use the A31 at Ringwood from tonight are being advised to plan ahead due to additional road closures.

The A31 eastbound will be reduced to one lane between the Verwood and Ringwood junctions from 8pm on Thursday November 18 until 6am on Friday November 19, to allow for the removal of a gantry across the road.

The eastbound exit slip road at Ringwood will also be closed during this time to lift out a section of existing barrier.

A spokesman from National Highways said: “A signed diversion will be in place and traffic wishing to join the eastbound A31 at Ringwood should join the westbound carriageway and use the roundabout at Ashley Heath to turn around to head east.

“Drivers are also being advised the westbound A31 between Ringwood and Verwood will be fully closed from 8pm on Friday November 19 until 6am on Saturday November 20, to allow for installation of a steel safety barrier.

“A signed diversion will be in place from junction 1 on the M27. Escorted access to homes and businesses will be provided where needed.

“Congestion is expected, so drivers are advised to plan ahead and leave extra time for their journeys.”

This is in conjunction with ongoing closures on the A31, between Ferndown and St Leonard’s, which will continue to be closed between 9pm and 6am until Friday, December 17 and the slip road at Verwood, which was shut for 10 weeks from October 28.

Ahead of the start of main construction, and the contraflow being implemented in January, there will be a number of overnight closures on the A31.

A full list of closures is available on the project website: https://highwaysengland.co.uk/our-work/south-east/a31-ringwood-road-widening/.

For more information and traffic updates, visit www.highwaysengland.co.uk/traffic.