Three week closure on major Bournemouth road to result in three mile diversion

A major road through Bournemouth town centre is due to be closed for highway repairs by Bournemouth Water.

Road works are set to start 27 January and the road will remain closed to all traffic until 14 February.

Bournemouth Water will be making “essential repairs” and replacing 30 metres of pipe.

This map shows the 3 mile diversion that traffic will have to follow while these works are carried out over a 3 week period, with the red markers indicating the road itself.

This closure will not just affect commuters in cars, but also those using bus services in the area.

Yellow buses and Morebus both operate routes along Bath Road and users will need to plan their journeys in advance of the closure.

More bus routes affected are: 13; X1; X2; X3 and X6 will be affected as well as Yellow bus routes: 1a; 2; 4; 4a; 5; 5a; 6; 33 and 737.

Driving instructors that spend all day on local roads are also set to be affected by roadworks in the area.

Local instructor Mark Ashby said: “Whilst it is an inconvenience to the business, I understand maintenance has to take place to avoid even bigger issues down the line.

“Lessons have to be consistently changed depending on traffic flow for pupils and I have to be aware to avoid certain areas.”

This is not the first time this road has caused disruption, as last year it was closed off due to a burst water main.

During the repairs in October 2019, Bournemouth Water discovered weaknesses with the pipe and the likelihood of future failure.

Bournemouth Water’s Network & Customer Services Manager, Jason Harvey, said: “The road will be closed for no more than three weeks for the pipe replacement works but this intervention will prevent future unplanned failures and traffic and supply disruption.”

The Council has expressed regret for any inconvenience to the public caused by this traffic order.