DATES for major work on the A31 at Ringwood have been changed yet again after pressure from campaigners.

National Highways has announced a further change of dates prolonging works on the key Dorset-Hampshire route.

As reported, the closure of the westbound slip road from the Ringwood roundabout has been postponed as authorities responded to feedback from residents and businesses concerned about disruption over Christmas.

The closure, which was due to start on 15 November, will now take effect from Tuesday January 4, 2022.

In addition, the highways authority has delayed the introduction of a contraflow for the third time. Originally set to be introduced on January 4, the date was then pushed back to January 24.

However, a further delay means the contraflow will be implemented from Wednesday, January 26.

Drainage work on the eastbound carriageway has been moved to November 2022 – the month that all works are supposed to be completed.

National Highways released pictures of workers replacing the bridge above the A31 which resulted in the road being closed for two nights from Sunday to Tuesday.

During this time, residents travelling from St Ives to Ringwood – a 1.3 mile route – were diverted on a 38 mile trip through Bournemouth, Christchurch and parts of the New Forest via the A35.

Bournemouth Echo: A31 roadworks to replace bridge. Picture: National HighwaysA31 roadworks to replace bridge. Picture: National Highways

Regarding the diversions, Ringwood Town Council’s chair of planning and A31 development forum representative Cllr Philip Day said: “I was told that a resident came into Ringwood from St Ives by taxi and that cost £6, but after the closure they ended up paying £26 to get home again.

“It’s massively inconvenient but that’s part of where we are and there’s no easy alternative, there really isn’t.

“Let’s just hope they keep these diversions to a minimum and give us as advanced warnings as possible. If you have someone who travels to Ringwood say once a fortnight, they’re not going to see signs to warn them of closures and they’ll get caught out.”

A spokesperson for National Highways said: “We understand that full road closures can be disruptive to road users and local communities.

“However, they are essential to help keep our roads maintained and everyone safe. Where possible, we plan full closures to be overnight when our roads are quieter.

“We recently closed the A31 at Ringwood over several nights so we could remove a gantry above the eastbound carriageway.

“As you’ll see from our pictures, this is a complex job that VolkerWessels UK would not have been able to carry out safely with traffic on the road.”