National Highways confirms the A31 has fully reopened

Work for the A31 has finally finished – and the infamous misspelt ‘Wimborne’ sign has been righted, too. 

National Highways has announced work to the main route from Hampshire to Dorset, through the New Forest, has finished two weeks ahead of schedule. 

Work started on March 31 2021 to widen the westbound A31 from two lanes to three between the Ringwood and Verwood junctions. 

The extra lane now provides much-needed road capacity and will reduce congestion on this busy stretch of road. 

The road sign has been repaired - at no extra cost for the taxpayer (Image: Daily Echo)

Read more: Wimborne misspelling on A31 sign has happened before

Both carriageways have returned to a 70mph speed limit, replacing the temporary 50mph limit which was in place throughout the works.

The A31 at Ringwood 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. 

The work included the replacement of the two bridges on the westbound carriageway which cross the River Avon and the Bickerley Millstream, these have been widened to three lanes.  

Read more: A31 roadworks on track to be complete by end of November

Progress on the A31 at Ringwood as seen on Sunday, October 23, 2022 (Image: National Highways)

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

Daniel Kittredge, project manager for the A31 Ringwood, said: “I am pleased to confirm the work to widen the A31 at Ringwood has been completed ahead of time and road users are now able to use the road with its new third lane. 

“The A31 is one of the region's most important roads, connecting Surrey, Hampshire and Dorset, and is 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 will be more reliable, reducing journey times and providing capacity for future traffic growth and we would like to thank the people of Ringwood and the surrounding area for their patience while we completed this important scheme.”