HELP must be given to mitigate the disruption set to erupt when the A303 is closed for repair work next year, warn North Dorset leaders.

The closure of a four-mile stretch of the south’s main east-west artery is likely to bring five weeks of misery to destinations on the diversion routes.

Shaftesbury and Gillingham will be among towns hardest hit and Dorset County Council (DCC) is being urged to acknowledge the sizeable concerns of the communities.

North Dorset MP Bob Walter has met with other civic leaders to discuss the impact.

He said issues in Shaftesbury centred on pedestrian crossings along Grosvenor Road, temporary road closures and restricting the use of rat-runs.

He added: “Representatives have also suggested a controlled junction onto Wincombe Business Park and measures to better manage traffic through The Beeches.

“Fears of serious congestion through The Beeches has also led to consideration of Lox Lane as a possible alternative to the current signed strategic route onto the B3081.”

Lester Dibben, mayor of Shaftesbury, said while the Highways Agency would put official diversions in place, the reality was drivers would seek out alternatives.

He said: “People have sat nav and will just put in places they want to avoid. It’s a bit of a joke.”

A meeting with county council officials is being sought to agree the key measures to be addressed.

Kevin Cheleda, DCC road space manager, said they would be offering “full co-operation” to help mitigate “inevitable disruption”.

He added that they would aim to recover any outlay on the work from the Highways Agency.

A stakeholder meeting, arranged by the Highways Agency, was due to take place in Wincanton, Somerset, last week to pass information to affected parishes.

The main work is due to begin in February, though revamped plans have at least seen a reduction in the level of 24-hour closures through extending night work.


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