A35 to remain closed on Monday as sinkhole investigations continue

Parts of a major road in Dorset are to remain closed on Monday after a sink hole opened up on the main carriageway.

Drivers currently face a 17-mile diversion to avoid the damaged section of the A35 Westbound.

It appeared after engineers worked to fill a pothole in the road surface at the beginning of the week, but it resulted in an even bigger hole opening up forcing emergency services to close the route entirely.

Drivers heading westbound on the A35 are being diverted via Bere Regis Roundabout at the A31, south to Wool, before taking the A352 back to the A35, following the solid triangle diversion.

Geotechnical survey work to assess the size and extent of the damage has been taking place since Wednesday, with design work being carried out this weekend ahead of repair work set to start tomorrow.

Highways England says it is continuing to work closely with Dorset Council to resolve the issue as soon as possible, including assessing the diversion route with the potential of installing a contraflow on the eastbound carriageway, allowing traffic to travel in both directions and the diversion to be removed.