  Bookmark our gritting web pages, or save them to your favourites, to keep up to date with where we are gritting See where we are gritting – updated every 15 minutes  An electronic ‘hotbox’ at our Charminster Highways Depot won us an international Green Apple award for its innovative solution to reducing energy and saving money. We were the first council in the country to install the solar powered container to keep asphalt (that black stuff that surfaces roads) hot while it is stored. It replaced our old gas-fuelled storage unit that had come to end of its life. The hotbox, slightly bigger than a large skip, is powered by an array of solar panels on the depot roof. This removes the need to purchase electricity or gas to run it, and it doesn’t use much more energy than a kettle. As well as saving money, it’s helping us meet our target of becoming a carbon-neutral council by 2040. Read more about the award and the hotbox  Speed indicator initiative reaches milestone Those familiar signs that show your speed when driving in Dorset’s towns and villages have reached their 10-year milestone. 77 communities have signed up to our Speed Indicator Device scheme (SID for short) at 230 locations so more drivers can receive that friendly ‘Thank you’ when they slow down! Representatives of parish/town councils or community organisations who would like to know more about the SID programme should send an email to sids@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk Read more about SID’s milestone  Speed limit reductions in eastern Dorset In early November, a new 30mph speed limit came into operation on the A347 Ringwood Road, Ferndown, from Manor Close up to Turbary Roundabout. From Thursday 30 November, the 40mph speed limit on the A348 is reduced to 30mph between Bear Cross Roundabout and the existing 30mph speed limit north of Longham Mini Roundabouts, along with a short section from Longham Mini Roundabouts on both Christchurch Road and Ham Lane. These changes follow a review to make the area safer for all road users.  Weymouth Town Bridge reopens Work completed a week earlier than planned to repair defective welds that attach the deck plates (road surface) onto the bridge beams. It was a complex process, but one that the skilled team carried out carefully and efficiently. 212 out of 1,400 welds were identified as defective this time, with wear and tear from vehicle crossings, rain and salty water causing some to rust. Many thanks to the local community, businesses and visitors to the town for your patience and support during the works. Maumbury Crossroads, Dorchester To prepare for improvements to the signalised junction on Weymouth Avenue in Dorchester near Maumbury Rings, ground investigations will take place during the first week of December. From 9.30am on Monday 4 December to 3.30pm on Tuesday 5 December, temporary signals will be in operation at the junction. Edward Road will be closed between its junction with Weymouth Avenue and its junction with Coburg Road.The scheme will provide safer crossing facilities for pedestrians, particularly those with mobility and sensory impairments as well as for local children walking to school, the leisure centre and the skate park. Read more about the Maumbury Crossroads junction improvements Resurfacing this December Roads with structural failure in the lower layers, as well as the surface, are resurfaced as part of our ongoing programme of work.To allow the work to take place safely, the area of the road being worked on will be closed. Signed diversions will be in place. See where we are resurfacing in December See the latest roadworks and closures in the Dorset Council area. Whether it’s our works, water, gas, telecoms, National Highways, other organisations, or road closures for events, our online map can help you see what’s happening, where and when Report a problem From potholes to fly tipping, our online form with interactive map enables you to tell us exactly where there’s an issue, and you can upload a photo too. See roadworks and closures in the BCP Council area, covering Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole     |
