C13 – Road will be closed until next year – PR 3994

A meeting of the chairs from the parish councils affected by the closure of the C13 at Melbury Abbas have been told that due to the complexity of the project the road may not be opened until late spring at the earliest.

The C13, between Blandford and Shaftesbury has been closed by Dorset County Council for four months after discovering that the slopes beside the road were unstable.

Local county councillor, Deborah Croney, called this regular briefing session to keep communities up to date with news on the road closure and longer term traffic solutions.

Deborah Croney, said:

“There is a lot of work happening behind the scenes at the moment. The soil tests will be analysed and reports on what can be done to stabilise both Dinah’s Hollow and the area below St Thomas’s Church are due in the autumn.

“Officers are looking at a number of options to manage traffic flows when the C13 is opened. I am also investigating longer term infrastructure improvements and possible funding opportunities.”

“The county council has been working with the organisers of the Great Dorset Steam Fair and highways colleagues in neighbouring counties to warn motorists of the closure and advising on alternative routes or changes in journey times during this busy time.”

More information about the traffic management options and updates on the closure of the C13 can be found at www.dorsetforyou.com/dinahs-hollow.

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