WEST Dorset residents planning on travelling across the county this weekend are being alerted to road closures due to a sporting event.

The Ironman 70.3 Weymouth is coming back for 2019 this Sunday, September 22, with hundreds of contestants taking part.

The full event involves a swim of 1.2 miles in Weymouth Bay, a cycle ride of 56 miles around the countryside, and then a run on the final stretch of 13.1 miles around Weymouth.

People in west Dorset are being put on alert in case they are planning on travelling across the county this Sunday.

In particular, journeys will be disrupted by the cycling.

The route takes competitors from Weymouth to the east and north of Dorchester. It goes up the Piddle Valley (B3143) – which will be closed from 7.30am-12pm – then over to King's Stag to Holwell, then down the Old Sherborne Road past Cerne Abbas to Dorchester (closed 8am-1pm). The route from Charlton Down which then takes cyclists onto the B3143 into Dorchester (Kings Road) then out onto the A352 will be closed from 8.30am-1.30pm.

Cllr Ray Bryan, portfolio holder for highways, travel and the environment at Dorset Council, said: "Our traffic control centre will be operating on the day and we have members of staff in the race control centre to provide residents and drivers with information via our @TravelDorset Twitter account as the roads are reopened.

"We’ve been working closely with Ironman and there will be Dorset Council highways staff at some of the most crucial marshalling points. There will be delays so expect journeys to take longer. Access for emergency services will be maintained."

Dorchester household recycling centre (HRC) at Louds Mill will be open, but access is likely to be disrupted until early afternoon.

Car passes have been made available on request for social carers and care workers to access service users’ homes, and care homes, during the event.

Contact Ironman race control on 03330 11 66 00 or email weymouth@ironmanroadaccess.com if you have any issues on the day.