A KEY road near Dorchester will close for major roadworks next week – and the official diversion route will take drivers on a 36-mile trip around Dorset and Somerset lasting almost an hour.
A 6,095-metre (3.7 mile) section of the A352 through the villages of Longburton and Holnest between Dorchester and Sherborne will be shut to allow Dorset Council to resurface the A-road.
A spokeswoman for Dorset Council explained the road condition had "deteriorated" and work will be carried out in two phases.
The Travel Dorset service says the A-road will be closed in both directions between 9am and 4pm on Monday, November 16 until Friday, December 2. The road will be open during the evenings and at weekends.
The A352 is one of many key roads being repaired by Dorset Highway's maintenance crews across the county this month as workers continue to keep key routes in good condition during lockdown.
Travel Dorset has published the official diversion route online, which will take approximately 55 minutes to follow the 36-mile route and take drivers across Dorset and into Somerset.
From the closed section at the southern end, the diversion route takes drivers down A352 through Middlemarsh, Minterne Magna, Cerne Abbas, Nether Cerne, Godmanstone, before entering Charminster.
After driving onto North Street, drivers should turn right onto the A37 and drive northbound through Grimstone, and Melbury Osmond, before reaching Yeovil.
Motorists are advised to then follow the A30 along Hendford Hill and Reckleford in Yeovil before following Sherborne Road and Babylon Hill towards Sherborne.
This route will then see drivers turn right onto the A352 at Sherborne before heading back towards Longburton.
A council spokeswoman explained that the reason for the length of the diversion is because the closure is on an A-road and therefore any official alternative route must use the same class of road.
She said: "The 36-mile official diversion route is evidence to the rural nature of Dorset.
"Local drivers will be able to use local roads to navigate around the closed area, however, they should ensure that these roads are suitable for the vehicle they are driving.
"During the road closure from November 16 to November 20, when there will be less traffic on the A352, the highways structures team will have two-way lights at Dunns Bridge to clear silt from under the bridge."
Alternatively, there are a number of shorter but unofficial routes that drivers can take to avoid the road closure. These not suitable for HGVs and should be avoided if using larger machinery.
How the roadworks will be carried out
The first eight days of repairs will take place in Longburton, starting at the northern end and working south. The road will be closed in sections, there will be no through-access for drivers.
The final four days of works will be south of the village, from the speed limit change down to Middlemarsh. There will be no through-access along the road and access will be maintained for residents and businesses throughout the works.
Dorset Council warns that any person who breaches the road closure could be convicted or face a fine not exceeding £1,000.
The diversion route will be signposted on the road.
Anyone with any concerns or wish to discuss any issues regarding the roadworks can contact Dorset Council online via http://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/roadworks/enquiries
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