A KEY route through Dorset will partially shut today (Monday, November 29) for 'essential repairs' to a 'deteriorating' road surface.

The A35 Puddletown bypass will close eastbound for 12 hours between 6am and 6pm.

The eastbound carriageway, which will be closed between the Northbrook and Tolpuddle Ball junctions, is required to shut to allow workers to 'to carry out specialist repairs to a defect in the concrete surface that has worsened rapidly over the last few weeks.'

Motorists travelling eastbound should follow a 4.7-mile diversion route via the Northbrook junction, follow The Moors into Puddletown and drive through villages of Athelhampton and Tolpuddle.

The westbound carriageway towards Dorchester will not be affected.

A spokesman for National Highways explained that the route must be closed during the day because 'the works are temperature sensitive'.

Andrew Kirby, A35 Route Manager, said: “The A35 Puddletown Bypass is to be partially closed eastbound due to a surface defect in the concrete carriageway.

"This defect was set to be repaired in the spring, but due to recent deterioration, we need to carry out essential repairs on Monday for safety reasons.

“The works are temperature sensitive so need to be undertake in the day in order for the repair material to cure correctly.

"We apologise for any inconvenience and advise drivers to plan ahead.”

Diversion route in full 

  • Head east towards Northbrook Junction 0.2 km
  • At Northbrook Junction, take the 4th exit onto A354
  • At the roundabout, continue straight onto The Moor
  • Continue onto Blandford Road
  • Turn left onto High Sreet
  • Continue onto Athelhampton Road
  • Continue onto Dorchester Road
  • Continue onto Main Road
  • Continue onto Long Cowleaze
  • Continue onto Dorchester Road
  • Turn left onto B3390
  • Turn right onto the A35 slip road to Bournemouth/Poole