DRIVERS will have to follow a 42-mile diversion around west Dorset to bypass a 120-metre stretch of roadworks.

A section of the A3066 Tunnel Road near Beaminster will be shut for three nights to allow power company SSE to replace old light fittings with new LED fittings.

The A-road, which will be shut either side of the tunnel, will be closed between 7pm and 7am on Wednesday, October 14 until Friday, October 16.

Travel Dorset has published the official diversion route online, which will take approximately one hour and five minutes to follow the 42.2 mile route.

To bypass the roadworks, motorists must head northwest on A3066 before turning right onto the A356 and follow for 14.6 miles.

Drivers will turn right onto the A37 Dorchester Road and follow the route and take the second exit on the roundabout to stay on the A-road.

At Monkeys Jump roundabout, drivers will take the fourth exit onto A35 and follow for 12.8 miles into Bridport.

Motorists must take the third exit on the roundabout onto A3066 Sea Road and follow the A-road for a mile before taking the second exit onto A3066 Beaminster Road.

Drivers should follow the A3066 for nearly five miles bfore taking the second exit onto A3066 Tunnel Road.

The public notice released by Dorset Council reads: "All vehicles will be prohibited from proceeding along A3066 Tunnel Road, Beaminster at either side of the tunnel, a distance of approximately 120 metres.

"The notice is needed in order to comply with health and safety regulations which require the provision of safe working areas and to minimise the likelihood of danger to highway users."

The reason for the length of the diversion is because the closure is on an A-road and therefore any official alternative route must use the same class of road.

Alternatively, there are a number of shorter but unofficial routes that drivers can take to avoid the road closure. These not suitable for HGVs and should be avoided if using larger machinery.

Dorset Council warns that any person who breaches the road closure could be convicted or face a fine not exceeding £1,000.

The diversion route will be signposted on the road.

Anyone with any concerns or wish to discuss any issues regarding the roadworks can contact Dorset Council online via http://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/roadworks/enquiries