Part of the main route between Poole and Wareham will be closed from 19 September for five weeks to allow Dorset County Council to carry out essential maintenance.
The A351 will be closed 24 hours a day throughout this period between the Baker’s Arms and Holton Heath roundabouts as the work will require the road to be completely dug up.
During this time, the alternative route will be signed using the A35 and B3075 via Morden Park Corner in both directions. Access to the Romany Works industrial estate, Holton Lee activity centre and other local businesses and homes will be maintained at the Holton Heath end.
The work is necessary as the road surface has become worn out and needs to be reconstructed. At the same time, the county council will also carry out work to waterproof and strengthen two culverts under the road, avoiding the need for a separate road closure.
The carriageway will be reconstructed with a deeper surface layer to give it a 20-year design life and meet the current standard for carrying heavy goods vehicles. For this, the council will use a ‘deep in-situ recycling’ process. This involves reusing the existing road materials and adding a new layer on top, which minimises the amount of waste and need for new materials. This will raise the existing carriageway by approximately 100mm. The kerbs and footway will also be raised by 100mm for most of their length.
The county council will also cut back overhanging trees, re-dig the roadside ditches and clear out the existing drainage systems while this work is being done.
Residents and businesses are being contacted by letter in advance and will have regular contact from the site supervisor during the works.
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September 18th, 2011 at 7:31 am
Will pedestrians and cyclists still be able use this route?
October 19th, 2011 at 2:56 pm
Hi Ben, yes pedestrians and cyclists can still use this route. As part of the scheme we’re building a new foot/cycle way and so the finished product will make it easier for people to travel between the Baker’s Arms roundabout and the Holton Heath roundabout on foot or by bike.
October 20th, 2011 at 12:48 pm
Are these road works still running to time. There are rumours going around Wareham that there is a two week over run.
October 20th, 2011 at 2:55 pm
Hi Dave, here’s the latest A351 situation… the road closure will be removed on Sunday, starting with the A351 reopening to two-way traffic, followed by the cones being removed from the A35. Work is currently concentrated on the two ends of that stretch of the A351, so next week when the temporary traffic lights are in place to allow work to completely finish off the scheme, they will cover the middle part of the stretch, so that any queuing traffic will not reach either roundabout (hope that makes sense). We anticipate the temporary lights being up for a week. There will be one set of signals which will move along the middle section of the road. The works are continuing after the closure has been lifted as a brand new foot/cycleway was added to the scheme. This path will be a massive improvement for pedestrians and cyclists, making their journeys a lot safer.