WORKS on the A31 at Ringwood will recommence in the New Year, with a slew of overnight and 24-hour road closures.

Motorists will see a number of changes taking place along the road from January 4.

Here's an overview of what's happening when, the work taking place and why. 

What work is taking place?

The A31 is being widened to three lanes at Ringwood between the A31 junction for Ringwood town centre, the B3347 Mansfield Road and the B3081 Verwood Underpass.

According to National Highways, the project will cost between £25 million and £30 million. 

Bournemouth Echo:

The bridges that carry the westbound carriageway over the river, and the nearby Bickerley Millstream, will also be replaced as part of the improvements.

National Highways said replacing the bridges would help to "reduce congestion, improve safety and provide a road suitable for the future".

To allow this to happen, a contraflow will be introduced at the end of January, with two lanes of eastbound and two lanes of westbound traffic using the eastbound carriageway.

Bournemouth Echo: A31 at Ringwood closures

Here is an overview of what we know is in store for the next month.

Tuesday, January 4 – 8pm to 6am

  • Closure of the Ringwood westbound entry and exit slips and a lane closed on the westbound carriageway.
  • The westbound exit and entry slips roads will be closed from 8pm. The exit slip will reopen by 6am the following morning.
  • The westbound entry slip will remain closed until our improvements are finished in November 2022. 
  • To leave the A31 westbound at Ringwood, follow the diversion via the A31 to Ashley Heath where you can join the A31 eastbound and return to the Ringwood junction.
  • To join the A31 westbound at Ringwood, follow the diversion via the A31 eastbound to Poulner Hill where you can join the A31 westbound.
  • The footpath next to the westbound carriageway between West Street and Hurn Lane will also be closed.

Bournemouth Echo: A31 at Ringwood closures

Wednesday, January 5, 2022, to November 30, 2022 – 24-hours a day

  • Closure of the Ringwood westbound entry slip.
  • To join the A31 westbound at Ringwood, follow the diversion via the A31 eastbound to Poulner Hill where you can join the A31 westbound.

Sunday, January 23 – 8pm to 6am

  • Full closure of the A31 westbound between the Ringwood and Verwood junctions.

Monday, January 24 – 8pm to 6am

  • Full closure of the A31 eastbound between the Verwood and Ringwood junctions.

Bournemouth Echo:

Tuesday, January 25 – 8pm to 6am

  • Full closure of the A31 westbound between the Ringwood and Verwood junctions.

A contraflow will be in operation by January 26 to November 30, 2022. The contraflow will be maintained in both east and westbound directions while a third lane is added to each side.

Some additional work is also required on the eastbound carriageway to resolve drainage issues, removal of a gantry and for road marking corrections.

The controversial westbound slip road closure was originally scheduled to start on November 15, 2021, however was postponed until January after concerns were raised by residents and councillors that it would negatively impact Christmas trading and travel in the town.

Read more: 'The powers that be are listening': U-turn on A31 slip road closure after feedback

National Highways said: “After listening to concerns raised by Ringwood Town Council, local retailers and residents about the potential impact the westbound entry slip road closure may have on the town during construction work, National Highways has postponed its planned closure of the slip road.”

Anything else I need to know?

Roadworks are also taking place elsewhere at the following locations: 

Bargates in Christchurch - Bargates in Christchurch town centre is set to be shut off in one direction from January 25 to repair a collapsed sewer. The repairs are due to be completed by Friday, April 22, 2022.

Read more: 'We will be finished': Business fears over three-month closure of main road

Read more: 'A complete disaster': Key town centre road to close for THREE months

A35 in the New Forest - The A35 will be closed in both directions as Hampshire County Council presses on with work to replace the Holmsley crossing over the C10.

An eight-mile section of the road between Hinton’s St Michael and All Angels Church and the Vinney Ridge Inclosure junction is going to be closed from January 4 until April 8.

Read more: Busy eight-mile stretch of A35 to close for three months