Work is set to start to reopen a road that has been closed for nearly two years.

Dorset County Council has announced that engineers will start work to realign the C68, to the east of Uploders, on Monday, January 22. The team will first set up welfare facilities and clear vegetation before building a new retaining wall.

Following on from this, in April 2018 earthworks will start to shape a route through a neighbouring field to allow the realignment of the road away from the landslide, which caused the road to close in February 2016.

Due to the narrow width of the road, there will be no pedestrian access through the site during the work.

Cllr Daryl Turner, Cabinet member for the natural and built environment, said: “We appreciate that this road has been closed for nearly two years. It has taken us time to work with local land owners and design a workable scheme, and we’re pleased to now be able to start on site.”

Cllr Ros Kayes, added: “It is excellent news that work will be starting in January, I know that residents will be happy to hear that work to reconnect their village will finally be getting underway.”

Subject to weather conditions, the road will reopen to traffic in early summer 2018.

The C68 road was closed in February 2016 as a precaution after a driveway next to the road collapsed, but further investigation discovered a length of the verge in imminent danger of ‘slipping’ – further reducing the structural integrity of the road – and the road stayed closed for safety reasons.

For more information visit www.dorsetforyou.gov.uk/uploders

ENDS