MOTORISTS face four months of travel disruption with a stretch of the A31 set to close in the new year for works. 

The trunk road between the Ashley Heath Roundabout and Ameysford Roundabout at Ferndown will see overnight closures starting from Friday, January 12. 

National Highways said contractors will be doing carriageway works including resurfacing, road-marking, and stud replacement drainage work. 

Overnight closures will take place between 9pm and 6am on weekdays.

Meanwhile, there will be extended closures on Saturday nights between 7pm and 8.30am. 

Total weekend closures will start at 9pm on Fridays and end at 6am on Mondays. 

The work could end in May however no specific date has been given.

Bournemouth Echo: Traffic on the A31 during the dayTraffic on the A31 during the day (Image: Daily Echo)

The closures will affect traffic going to West Moors, St Leonards, St Ives and Ferndown.

National Highways said: “Through traffic affected by the closures will be diverted using, as appropriate, the A338, A347, B3072, B3073, Cobham Road, Wimborne Road East, Woolsbridge Road, Horton Road, Ringwood Road, Hurn Road, and Boundary Lane.  

“The diversion in operation will vary according to the closure in force. Vehicular and pedestrian access for residents and businesses whose sole access is from, or fronting, the A31 and connecting roads will be maintained by escort as required. 

“The temporary closures and diversion routes will be clearly indicated by traffic signs when they are in operation during the works period.” 

The work will be carried out in phases between the two roundabouts, National Highways has said.

All of the slip roads leading to and from the A31 will also be shut during the four-month period.

"These measures are in the interests of road safety while contractors undertake carriageway works," National Highways added.

The latest highway work comes just a year after National Highways put in lane closures to improve and widen the A31 by Ringwood.

In a project that lasted for more than a year and cost £30m, motorists were left frustrated at the long queues caused by the heavy congestion coming into and out of Dorset.