PROPOSALS for work on Beaminster Tunnel are to be revealed in more depth at a meeting.

Officers from Dorset County Council will attend the summit at the Beaminster Public Hall tomorrow, October 18 at 6.30pm.

They will include bridge and structures manager John Burridge and principal engineer Matthew Jones.

Beaminster county councillor Rebecca Knox is also set to attend.

Dorset County Council has narrowed down work to two main options.

Option 1 is stabilising the slope above the tunnel and option 2a is to build a permanent concrete extension to the tunnel.

It says that either option will take an estimated six months to build and that detailed design, identifying and appointing sub-contractors and gaining consents will add to the time.

She said that option 2A would take about six months to build.

A county council spokesperson said: “There is a possibility of further landslips on both sides meaning it cannot be reopened until a solution has been found to make it safe.

“Engineers are completing testing on material samples removed from the tunnel site.

“Early results indicate that the retaining walls are unacceptably weak.

“Engineers are working on two possible safety options which will take around six months to build.”

The tunnel has been closed since a landslide in early July.

The landslip killed Michael Rolfe and Rosemary Snell as they drove home from an evening out in Beaminster.

The road has been closed ever since and traders have warned that businesses have been suffering although a campaign has been launched to promote the town.

Traders, residents and all interested are welcome to attend the meeting on October 18.