Dorset Highways annual summer road repair programme is getting underway.
Two programmes of work are being carried out in the Dorset Council area – premium surface dressing and micro-asphalt – starting on Monday 22 June.
These will seal roads against water damage and restore skid resistance on roads that are in an otherwise good condition.
Some roads have had patching completed on them over the last 12 months to repair any major defects in preparation for these treatments.
Due to current social distancing measures, the sites being treated are away from busier, urban areas to ensure that the workforce can adhere to current public health guidelines and protect residents.
Road closures will be typically in place from 9.30am to 3.30pm, but drivers should keep an eye out for advance notice boards locally as timings do vary slightly between sites.
Diversion routes will be signposted and, inline with national guidance, these will divert traffic onto the same classification of road as the one closed. Local drivers may decide to use their own alternative route.
Councillor Ray Bryan, Dorset Council Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel and Environment, said:
“Please be patient while we carry out these works and be mindful of local roads becoming busier as residents seek out alternative routes.
“When the road reopens, please drive with care and adhere to the temporary 20mph speed limit – this is for your safety and driving at this speed helps the ‘bedding-in’ process on our surface dressing sites.
“We know many drivers and motorcyclists do not like this surface treatment, however, it is successfully used across the country.
“We will continue to use surface treatments based on a road’s individual condition – and the two treatments we’re using this summer both serve their purpose in the maintenance lifecycle of our roads.”
Roads being surface dressed include:
– Dorchester Road, Weymouth – Station Road, Stalbridge – Rixon Hill, Manston Road, Sturminster Newton – Old Blandford Road, Cann Common – A354 Sixpenny Handley
A small surplus of loose chippings will remain on the surface for up to 48 hours. These will be removed by a suction sweeper.
These sites will have a protective seal applied over the new surface after the final sweep, this will further lock the stone chippings into the road. This will be done as mobile works under stop/go boards so please expect some delay to your journey.
Micro-asphalt sites, where a layer of new material is laid over the top of the existing surface, include:
– B3164 West Street, Broadwindsor – B3163 Broadwindsor Road – B3161 Whitcombe Road / Hooke junction, Beaminster – Chickerell Link Road, Weymouth – Coombe Valley Road, Weymouth – Herringston Road / Higher Came, Dorchester – B3067 Dorchester Road, Lytchett Minster – Bournemouth Road, Charlton Marshall – C14 Duck Street, Child Okeford – Cann Common to White Pitt Lane – C2 Horton Road
All these works are weather dependent and dates may be subject to change. All planned roadworks can be seen online at dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/roadworks
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