A FIRE service station manager has expressed no concerns over a looming five-week main road closure despite some worry raised.

As reported, Studland Parish Council say upcoming closures of the B3351 Studland Road beginning on October 31 for water main works should be postponed until January to prevent the key road and ferry being shut at same time.

Councillor Nick Boulter also mentioned access for police, ambulance and fire emergency service vehicles as a major concern.

He said added: “We request that Wessex Water ensures that the emergency services can reach Studland residents in a comparable time to now - otherwise there may be real suffering to residents, even potentially deaths.”

However, Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service station manager for the affected region, Russ True, says he and his colleagues “don’t envisage” any such impact on their response times.

He said: “Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service work closely with local authorities in relation to road closures. We have been informed about the five-week closure of the B3351 and as the usual route for crews accessing Studland from Swanage is unimpeded, we don’t envisage a significant impact on our response times to incidents in the area.

“We will, of course, monitor the situation throughout the works and liaise with the contractors if necessary.”

Wessex Water is replacing a degrading water main near Corfe Castle to enhance water quality and cope with increasing demand.

Dorset Police and the South Western Ambulance Service have both been approached to comment.