Extending the life of our roads by surface dressing - further sites from 24 June

Our annual round of work started in late April to maintain rural and residential roads.

Using a process called surface dressing, we can extend the life of these roads by providing a waterproof seal. It is a quick process, taking place between the hours of 5am and 6pm. It is a vital part of our annual road maintenance programme, and typically lasts around 10 years. 

Letters are sent to farms, schools and businesses. This includes advice on road closures, suspension of on-street parking and any diversions during these hours. Information boards are erected in advance of the works taking place.

The latest schedule and completed sites are below. Further sites will be communicated once work has been confirmed. In the meantime, see all forthcoming roadworks in the Dorset Council area on our map.

To report an issue on the highway, please use our online form.

To report hazards, obstructions and dangerous situations which could cause injury or damage, call our 24 hours highways line 

All the work is highly weather dependent and subject to change. Residents are asked to look out for yellow advance warning signs in their area providing the most accurate information. Thank you for your understanding. 

Week commencing 24 June

A352 junction to Chaldon Herring

School Lane, Winfrith Newburgh

East Knighton Lane, Winfrith Newburgh

Redbridge Lane, Moreton to Gatemore Road junction

Redbridge Lane/Old Weymouth Road, Moreton

Highgate Lane, West Knighton

Knighton Lane, West Knighton

Proposed works for week commencing 1 July

Litton Lane - junction Hazel Lane/Chilcombe Lane cross roads to junction Rectory Lane

Puncknowle Road, Swyre

Annings Lane, Burton Bradstock

Shipton Road - junction A35 to junction Bennett's Hill Lane, Shipton Gorge

Hollow Way, Bothenhampton

Pymore Lane/Watford Lane, Pymore

St James Road, Netherbury to Bradpole

North Street, Beaminster

Gerrards Green, Beaminster

Chetnole Road/Batcombe Lane, Chetnole

Completed so far

Various roads, Gussage All Saints/Wimborne St Giles

Oakley Lane, Farnham, Blandford Forum

Dean Lane, Sixpenny Handley 

Various roads, Gussage All Saints/Wimborne St Giles

Verwood Road, Woodlands, Verwood 

Edmondsham to Oak Trees Farm 

Jessica Avenue, Verwood 

Woodcutts Lane, Gaunts Common 

Abbott Street to Cowgrove Road, Pamphill

Gainsborough Road, Ashley Heath

Braeside Road, St Leonards 

Church Lane West Parley  

New Road to Service Road, West Parley

Dudsbury Gardens, West Parley  

Longfield Drive, West Parley  

Christchurch Road - Longham minis to Chine Walk, West Parley

Kingston Hill, Corfe Castle - north of bends to A351 junction

Haycrafts Lane, Worth Matravers

B3390, Affpuddle

Athelhampton Road, Puddletown to Tolpuddle 

The Moor, A354 Northbrook Road roundabout to High Street, Puddletown

A352 Broadmayne, between village gateways

Winters Lane/Friar Waddon Lane, Weymouth

Plaisters Lane, Sutton Road, Sutton Poyntz

Westhill, South Road, Wyke Regis

High Street/Portland Bill Road, Portland

Avalanche Road, Portland

Weston Street, Portland 

Pennsylvania Road, Portland

Southwell Road, Portland

C12 - Charminster to Charlton Down junction

A352 - Godmanstone to Cerne Abbas 

Over Compton Road, Sherborne

Shillingstone, from blind summit to surfacing joint

Ham Corner to D32708, Tarrant Rushton

Whatcombe Lane, Winterborne Whitchurch to Winterborne Strickland

Vermin Lane, Sturminster Marshall

Springdale Road, Corfe Mullen

Wareham Road, Lytchett Matravers

Randalls Hill - from A350 Beacon Hill to junction C63 Huntick Road, Lytchett Minster

Wareham Road/Organford Road, off A351

C79 Lane End Road, Bere Heath

C79 Affpuddle to The Hollow, Briantspuddle

Throop Heath Road, Briantspuddle

Throop Clump to Moreton Drive, Moreton

Bindon Lane, East Stoke

Breachfield, Wool

Meadow Lane, Wool

Folly Lane, Wool

Lower Hillside Road, Wool

Hillside Road, Wool

West Road, from Church Road to B3070 Main Road, West Lulworth

About surface dressing

It is a quick process, with bitumen binder (a sticky tar like substance) sprayed onto the road. This seals the road against water damage. Stone chippings are spread on to restore grip and these are compacted with a roller.

Drivers can travel on the road as soon as the work is finished, with slow moving vehicles helping to further embed the stone chippings.

A sweeper travels along the road within 48 hours to clear any immediate surplus stone. Line markings are reinstated shortly afterwards.

Surface dressing relies on the evaporation of water from the bitumen binder for it to set, so it can only be carried out in dry weather.

Work cannot take place at night due to the necessary evaporation process and will not be carried out at weekends or on Bank Holidays.

We carry out a range of works to repair and prevent damage to our roads, including patching, micro-surfacing, in-situ recycling, road preservation and resurfacing.