THREE weeks of work which will reduce the impact of future maintenance on the A338 Wessex Way will cost around £250,000.

BCP Council is warning of disruption for motorists using the dual carriageway.

Three weeks of works are due to begin on Monday, November 14, between Richmond Hill and Bournemouth West roundabouts.

This is to allow engineers to install 'crossovers' ahead of a programme of repairs to the section of the dual carriageway which is a bridge above Braidley Road.

As reported, the council identified a need to replace the expansion joints along with other maintenance following regular scheduled inspections.

Details on when the overbridge work will take place has not been announced but a spokesperson for the highways authority said the road is not in a dangerous condition and there is no short-term risk to the structure.

The work starting later this month will ensure the council does not have to fully close the main road in either direction while doing maintenance.

The two 'crossover' points through the central reservation will create across a smooth surface to drive on and allow contraflows to operate during the overbridge project.

The cost of the maintenance to the bridge is not yet confirmed, however, the cost of installing the 'crossovers' is around £250,000. This has been funded through a capital grant from central government and could be used for all future maintenance along the stretch of the A338 in Bournemouth.

Explaining what the overbridge works will deliver, the council spokesperson said: “The works will improve the long term durability of the bridge by reducing water ingress, which minimises the likelihood of corrosion of the reinforcement and the need for more extensive intervention in the future.”