ACCESS to the main dual carriageway across the New Forest is going to be affected for a month as work is carried out on a deteriorated cattle grid.

From today, drivers will be unable to access the A31 towards Ringwood at the Burley junction.

Highways England are closing the link between the Picket Post services for the westbound carriageway and Picket Plain Common Road for a month.

In a letter shared with residents in the area early this month, a Highways England spokesperson said: "We’ll shortly be carrying out work to replace the cattle grid, located off the A31 westbound carriageway the Burley junction/Picket Post services.

"The entire cattle grid has been deteriorating over time, and despite numerous repairs to make it safe, inspections have found that the best solution is to replace it completely.

"For the safety of our workforce and customers, we will need to close the link between the Picket Post services roundabout and Picket Plain Common Road.

"This closure will be in place from 10am on Monday, May 24, through to 5am on Monday, June 21."

As a result of the closure, motorists wishing to access the A31 westbound or leave the dual carriageway and head towards Burley are facing diversions.

Drivers wanting to exit the A31 will need to continue west along the main road to the Poulner Hill junction, exit at the junction and rejoin the eastbound A31 by going over the bridge before coming off at Picket Post and using the road under the bridge section of the dual carriageway to travel to Burley.

Meanwhile, those wishing to join the A31 westbound, will need to head under the bridge and join the eastbound route, continuing on the road then exit at the roundabout for Cadnam and loop back onto the A31 westbound at the roundabout.

Access for the resident property will be available from Picket Plain Common Road, however, access for emergency service vehicles on and off the A31 westbound will not be possible during the closure, as there will be a large void in the road which will make it impassable.