Disruption to the A35 at Chideock will last longer than expected.

A major project to stabilise a landslip off the road at Chideock, at a cost of £2m, began last year. It had been due to take around five months. 

The money came from a £103million road improvement pot for National Highways projects across the south west.

The work has left one lane closed on the dual carriageway at Chideock Hill since last July while  contractors have been working to stabilise the landslip in order to avoid further deterioration and risk the safety of drivers.

Asked for an update on the work, a spokesman for National Highways said: “Due to unprecedented rainfall in December and January, landslip works have been prolonged but teams are onsite progressing through the final stages.

"Weather permitting, we hope to complete the works by the end of April 2024.

"We apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused.”

Bridport and Lyme Regis News:

According to National Highways, the work is being carried out by specialists South West Highways, Balfour Beatty and sub-contractors, and involves excavating the slipped material before stabilising the ground with more robust material and installing an enhanced drainage system.

Speaking in July, National Highways service manager Stephen Potts said: “We appreciate roadworks can be frustrating but we need to carry out this work to ensure the long-term integrity of this section of the A35."