A section of a Bridport road will be closed for more than a month, starting today.

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 today, Monday, February 8 to Friday, March 12.

A 15 mile diversion route will be in place which will 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.

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