Part of the B3092 near Gillingham to close for six weeks

Part of the B3092 near Gillingham is closing from Tuesday (March 1) for around six weeks.

The closure will be between the bridge over the River Lodden at Madjeston and the Cole Street Lane junction for the six-week period.

Picture: Dorset Council

The closure is part of the construction project for the new Principal Street – a mile-long residential road to support the Gillingham southern expansion – which started in August 2021.

Additional work is now needed to tie its western end into the B3092.

Dorset Council said due to the nature of the work taking place, it is not possible to keep the road open.

A 30-metre difference in the finished road levels means the existing B3092 needs to be reconstructed to join the new road – with up to almost a metre of depth set to be dug out.

Protective utility tubes (ducts) are being installed under the road and overhead electricity poles are being relocated, along with BT poles.

Picture: Dorset Council

A signed diversion route will direct drivers to use the A30 and travel via Shaftesbury to reach their destination; B3092 – A30 – B3081 – B3092.

A 3.5-tonne weight limit (except for access) is planned for Cole Street Lane during the road closure to help reduce disruption and minimise rat running.

Cllr Ray Bryan, Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel and Environment, said: "We appreciate the disruption this will have on residents and businesses over the next two months, but there's no other way to complete this work and it’s the best time of year to carry it out due to lower traffic flows.

"Please follow the diversion route, as local lanes will not be suitable for many vehicles and Cole Street Lane is already busier than usual as it is being used by construction workers to access the site offices and is the route for egressing site traffic.

"Our contractor, Hanson, is monitoring debris on roads from construction traffic and will be carrying out sweeping as necessary."