‘ON track for the end of November’ - that’s the message from National Highways as its team prepares to put the finishing touches on the major A31 project at Ringwood.

At the weekend, the highways workforce successfully completed the final carriageway switchover - removing the contraflow system - which saw westbound traffic travel over the new bridges for the first time.

On Saturday, November 19, the road will fully re-open between the Ringwood and Verwood junctions, and the scheme will be completely finished 11 days later - with some intervening overnight closures.

The westbound Ringwood and eastbound Verwood entry slips will also re-open.

The £30m road widening scheme, which began in September last year, has seen a third lane added to the westbound carriageway of the A31 to provide additional capacity and safer access points from Ringwood.

Bournemouth Echo: A31 work at Ringwood in August. Picture: Paddy ButlerA31 work at Ringwood in August. Picture: Paddy Butler

A final series of overnight closures will enable crews to carry out final preparation and removal of traffic management. These will take place between 8pm and 6am on the following dates:

  • Tuesday November 15: A31 eastbound closed between A338 Ashley Heath and M27 J1 Cadnam
  • Wednesday 16 and Thursday 17: A31 westbound closed between M27 J1 Cadnam to A338 Ashley Heath
  • Friday 18: A31 eastbound closed between A338 Ashley Heath and M27 J1 Cadnam

Dan Kittredge, project manager for the A31 Ringwood, said: “I am pleased to confirm that the scheme is on track to be completed by November 30 as planned. We would like to thank the people of Ringwood and the surrounding area for their patience whilst we have delivered this challenging scheme.

“The A31 is one of the region's most important roads connecting Surrey, Hampshire and Dorset, a vital route every day for work journeys and home deliveries, visits to friends and family, and the movement of goods and services.

“The improved route at A31 Ringwood will be more reliable, reducing journey times and providing capacity for future traffic growth.”

Ringwood's stretch of the A31 was identified as an area needing investment, and forms part of the government’s £15.2bn Road Investment Strategy to be delivered between 2020 and 2025.

Work has also included the replacement of the two bridges on the westbound carriageway which cross the River Avon and the Bickerley Millstream - which too has been widened to three lanes.

Changes to the local road network have also been made to improve safety and access for cyclists and pedestrians.

The project team had been in dialogue over further suggested mitigation measures, including with Ringwood Town Council and Winchester Diocese for an acoustic barrier to be installed outside the Church of St Peter & St Paul over noise concerns.

However, National Highways has since said with the scheme now close to completion these discussions “have come to an end”.