“Road havoc” is what one listener told KeeP 106 today (Saturday 2 Oct) after getting caught in multiple road closures in the past 24 hours.
The A354 between Thornicombe and Blandford was closed after power cables fell causing disruption to commuters on Friday. Back roads to the town became jammed as HGVs tried to negotiate the single track roads around the area.
The A31 between Ferndown and the Canford Bottom Roundabout was closed due to a ruptured gas main. A 100m cordon was put in place with locals being advised to avoid the area. Fire crews from Westborne, Poole and Wimborne were put on standby on the scene whilst repairs were carried out. Its believed workmen may have hit the gas main just after 11pm last night (Friday 1 Oct).
Meanwhile the A35 Upton bypass was closed in the early hours following a single vehicle collision. Dorset Police received a report at 4.09am on Saturday 2 October 2021 of a single vehicle collision involving a blue Chevrolet Aveo near to the Bakers Arms Roundabout. Officers attended, along with the fire and ambulance services, and the sole occupant of the vehicle – a man aged in his 30s from Wimborne – was taken to Southampton General Hospital with life-threatening injuries. His family has been made aware.
Sergeant Rhys Griffiths, of the traffic unit, told KeeP 106: “We are carrying out an investigation to establish the circumstances of this collision and I am appealing to any witnesses who have not already spoken to police to please come forward. From our enquiries, we understand the vehicle involved – which has distinctive stripes on the roof and sides – travelled from the Wallisdown area to the Upton bypass and I am keen to hear from anyone who may have witnessed this vehicle, or captured it on dashcam footage, prior to the collision. Finally, I would like to thank members of the public for their patience and understanding during the road closures. As ever, these were absolutely necessary to allow the emergency services to respond and for a detailed examination of the scene.”
All roads have now been re-opened.
The yellow warning of wind and rain for the county came to fruition as heavy rain battered Dorset’s roads making driving conditions hazardous today. Sunday is expected to be a drier day with sunny spells but the chance of sporadic showers across the afternoon, which could be thundery in places in the evening.
