A BUSY north Dorset road will be closed from today for two weeks while resurfacing work is carried out – at the same another route nearby is closed.

Zig Zag Hill on the B3081 near Shaftesbury will be closed 24 hours-a-day until May 31.

This is likely to cause traffic problems in the area as the nearby C13 through Melbury Abbas also remains closed.

Drivers will be diverted onto the A350.

Dorset Council says resurfacing Zig Zag Hill presents difficulties not only with the nature of the road itself but also with the depth of the reconstruction needed. It is said the only safe way to carry out the work is under a full 24-hour closure.

The road is being resurfaced from White Pit Lane up to the top of the hill.

The C13 through Melbury Abbas has been closed since January for a new pull-in and vehicle activated signs to be installed for HGVs.

Although the resurfacing through Melbury Abbas will be finished on May 17 work is continuing to put the new signals into operation.

The decision has been made to keep the C13 closed while surfacing Zig Zag Hill to avoid diverted traffic using the C13, rather than the signed route on the A350.

The C13 and B3081 will reopen together at the end of May. Dorset Highways says it will then assess the surrounding minor roads for repairs caused by diverted traffic using them during the closures.