RESIDENTS are celebrating as work is due to start to replace a listed bridge linked to flooding.

The work at East Hill Road in Charminster will see the replacement of a listed bridge and other works to help keep water in the river and drainage works to manage the rainwater and groundwater.

During the storms of January 2014, St Mary’s Church in Charminster, was flooded.

Dorset County Council said the current bridge has small arches and restricts the flow of the River Cerne through the village.

Following last year’s bad weather, the Environment Agency and Dorset County Council worked with the church, the local community and key organisations such as English Heritage and West Dorset District Council, to develop a scheme to reduce the flooding.

English Heritage have agreed that the existing listed bridge can be dismantled and rebuilt with much bigger arches to allow a better flow of water.

Reverend Janet Smith from St Mary’s Church said she was ‘delighted’ the work was starting.

Church warden John Pearson said that the river did not flood the church, but that rising groundwater did.

However, the works to keep water in the river and drainage into the water meadows would help.

He said: “We are pleased something is being done to alleviate the flooding in Charminster, particularly for the 14 houses that are affected more than the church.”

He added: “I think it will relieve the flooding for many years.”

The work will start on May 11 and last for five months. During this time East Hill and West Hill will be closed to all traffic at the bridge.

Vehicles will be diverted using signs from East Hill, via Westleaze (C12), to Dorchester, then onto the Yeovil Road (B3147), the A37, North Street (A352) and back to West Hill.

The pedestrian diversion will be along a new permanent path constructed round the back of St Mary’s Church. This will join Church Lane via a temporary footbridge to East Hill.

There will be pedestrian diversions along a new permanent path constructed round the back of St Mary’s Church and there will be an alternative footpath diversion using the existing right-of-way from Mill Lane, across Alley Bridge, through Haydon Farm to North Street.

Bus routes X11 and 212 will be affected and amended timetables are available from Damory coaches.

A spokesman for Dorset County Council said: “The replacement bridge is intended to reflect the character of the existing bridge, using as many of the original bricks as possible. The existing historic parapets will be carefully stored and re-used on the new bridge.

“The new road surface will be higher than existing by 30cm. This will enable all traffic to continue using the bridge whilst accommodating the bigger arches.

“The road closure is planned to be lifted on October 3, but some traffic management may be needed to finish work on the parapet or approaches.”

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