A section of a Bridport road is to close for more than a month - with a 15 mile diversion route in place.

A 650 metre section of North Allington, between its junction with West Street and its junction with Hospital Lane, will be closed to allow Wessex Water safe access to carry out 'sewer rehabilitation works'.

Tthe road will be closed in both directions from Monday, February 8 to Friday, March 12.

The diversion route will take drivers across west Dorset and will take approximately 30 minutes to follow the 24.5 kilometre route.

The reason for the length of the diversion is because the closure is on an B-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.

The official diversion route sees drivers head east on West Street B3162 towards St Michael’s Lane before taking the first exit onto Sea Road North at the B3081 roundabout.

Drivers will then take the second exit at the A3066 roundabout onto Beaminster Road and will proceed on the road for five miles before turning onto Clay Lane B3163. The route will conclude by taking a left turn onto the B3162.

The diversion route will be signposted.

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

Elsewhere, a 50 metre section of Shipton Lane in Burton Bradstock is also due to close for five days in order for DK Eastment Groundworks Ltd to carry out a new sewer connection in the highway. The road will be closed from Monday, February 15 until Friday, February 19 and 6.2 mile diversion route will be in place.

North Street in Beaminster will also close for works between its junctions with Woodswater Lane and Gerrards Green. The works are due to take place from Monday, February 22 until Friday, April 2 to allow Wessex Water to lay new water main.

The diversion route will take drivers on a 7.3 mile detour which will last approximately 13 minutes.

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