MOTORISTS in Christchurch will be faced with three weeks of road closures and diversions as the council carries out resurfacing and maintenance works.

The A35 Christchurch Bypass and its surrounding roads will be most affected, with the work starting on October 27.

Drivers are being advised to allow up to one hour extra for eastbound journeys and 45 minutes if travelling westbound.

Major resurfacing work will take place to the A35 Stony Lane (Purewell Cross) roundabout, a section of the A35 Christchurch Bypass dual carriageway from the Fountain roundabout to the southern end of the B3347 Stony Lane.

A visibility screen to improve safety will also be installed at the junction of Purewell Cross, as well as repairs to the bridge parapet over the River Mude and gas mains repair works by Southern Gas Network in Stony Lane.

Other maintenance such as the clearing of vegetation, renewing signs, litter picking, gully cleaning and crash barrier repairs will also be carried out.

Work will be carried out 24/7 in two phases.

Diversion routes have been carefully planned so they are suitable for all vehicles, including HGVs, with eastbound traffic diverted via Totton due to weight restrictions in Lyndhurst.

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The diversion for eastbound traffic Picture: BCP Council

The first phase of work will take place between 6pm on October 27 and 6am on November 10, with no eastbound traffic allowed to enter the A35 Christchurch Bypass from the A35 Fountain Way roundabout.

Access to the Waitrose car park and Millhams Street North will be unaffected.

The official diversion route for eastbound traffic will be via A35 Barrack Road, Iford roundabout, A3060 Castle Lane East, Cooper Dean roundabout, A338 Wessex Way, A31 to M27 junction 1 Cadnam off slip, A336 to Totton, A326 to A35 Lyndhurst Road, A35 Bournemouth Road to A35 Somerford roundabout.

The second phase will take place between 6pm on November 10 and 6am on November 17. No westbound traffic will be allowed to enter the A35 Christchurch Bypass from the A35 Somerford roundabout.

The diversion for westbound traffic Picture: BCP Council

The diversion route for westbound traffic will be via A35 Lyndhurst Road, to A337 to Cadnam to A31, A338 Wessex Way, Cooper Dean roundabout, A3060 Castle Lane East to Iford roundabout and A35 Barrack Road.

For Burton and Winkton, a diversion route will also be in place via Ringwood and the A31/A338 Wessex Way. Salisbury Road will retain access via the off slip to the A35 Christchurch Bypass and traffic signals will be in place on the Avon Causeway.

Councillor Andy Hadley, portfolio holder for highways maintenance at Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council, said: “The diversion route for these essential works is extensive due to the requirement for diverted A-road traffic to use another suitable A-road.

“That and weight restrictions on some routes means the main diversionary route sends vehicles, with the focus on HGVs, on a 30-mile diversion. However, other routes are available as usual.

“We would ask that you do not use Burley as a shortcut, as roads there are suitable for local access only.

“We understand the inconvenience road closures can cause, and we’ve worked hard to minimise disruption, especially for market day and public transport users.”

“These improvements are vital to ensure the safety and longevity of our road network, and we appreciate residents’ patience while we carry out this essential work.”

The scheme has been designed to ensure that local businesses remain open as usual.

Christchurch Market and associated bus services will continue to operate as normal on Mondays, with work pausing on those days. Temporary adjustments will be made to allow buses to use the A35 Christchurch Bypass during market hours.