MOTORISTS have been warned of six weeks of overnight road closures on a major route.

The A31 between Ferndown and Ashley Heath will be closed overnight, between 9pm and 6am, from Monday, January 30 until Saturday, March 11.

The closures will allow for electrical installation and lamp column lighting upgrades.

National Highways say the work is being carried out using a phased approach to ‘keep disruption to a minimum’.

The phases are as follows:

  • Phase 1: Full closure on the eastbound and westbound A31, overnight only, from 9pm on Monday, January 30, to 6am on Saturday, February 18.
  • Phase 2: The westbound A31 will be closed from 9pm on Monday, February 20, to 6am on Wednesday, March 1.
  • Phase 3: The eastbound A31 will be closed from 9pm on Wednesday, March 1, to 6am on Saturday, March 11.

A diversion will be fully signposted, but National Highways say drivers should either avoid this area or look to use alternative routes if possible.

The diversion takes motorists from the Ashley Heath Roundabout, to the A338 south, exiting onto Castle Lane, down Whitelegg Way (A347), then New Road (A347), and Ringwood Road east. Drivers will then join Wimbourne Road travelling east and Westmoors Road, to finally re-join the A31.