National Highways will close the A31 overnight between Bere Regis and the A350 for about four weeks from 5 October, and for a full weekend from 16 October.

The A31 between Bere Regis and the A350 west of Wimborne will close overnight for about four weeks from Monday 5 October. National Highways also proposes to shut it for one full weekend, from Friday 16 October to Monday 19 October.

The closures are for resurfacing. They are set out in a statutory notice published by National Highways on 24 September, reference NH/SE/2026/A31/73. The company has issued no news release, and the scheme does not appear on its South West maintenance page or its South East one.

What the order allows

The order covers both carriageways of the A31 between Bere Regis Roundabout, where the road meets the A35, and Roundhouse Roundabout, where it meets the A350. It comes into force on 3 October.

The notice says:

  • the work is expected to last about four weeks, starting on or after Monday 5 October
  • overnight closures run between 9pm and 6am, which the notice calls the maximum period
  • a total weekend closure is proposed from 9pm on Friday 16 October to 6am on Monday 19 October
  • all side roads are closed where they join the stretch
  • lay-bys and bus stops beside the road stay closed 24 hours a day
  • the order can last up to 18 months, and ends when the works are complete
Key dates for the A31 closures between Bere Regis Roundabout and Roundhouse Roundabout. 3 October: the order comes into force. 5 October: the earliest start for overnight closures, 9pm to 6am, for about four weeks. 9pm on Friday 16 October to 6am on Monday 19 October: proposed full weekend closure. The diversion is the A35 and A350.
Graphic by The Dorset Post. Source: National Highways statutory notice NH/SE/2026/A31/73, published 24 September 2026.
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What the notice does not say

It does not name the nights. The wording is that closures and diversions “will be clearly indicated by traffic signs when they are in operation”. So the road may not be shut every night of the four weeks, and the notice does not say whether weekend nights are included.

The weekend closure is described as proposed, not confirmed.

The nights themselves will appear in the National Highways seven day closure report. The current report was last updated on 28 September and runs only to Sunday 4 October, so it lists nothing for this scheme yet.

How busy the road is

This is the main road between Dorchester and the M27. The Department for Transport’s automatic counter on the link recorded an average of 19,681 motor vehicles a day in 2024, of which 765 were lorries. The department measures the link at 11.6 kilometres, which is just over seven miles.

Night closures avoid the daytime traffic. The weekend is different. If the full closure goes ahead, the road will be shut through the whole of Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 October.

The diversion

The notice gives the diversion as the A35 and the A350, in either direction. It does not describe the route in any more detail.

Access to properties and farm areas fronting the road will be maintained under escort, the notice says.

What it means for you

  • If you drive the A31 late in the evening or before 6am, expect to be diverted on some or all nights from 5 October. Check the signs on the road and the seven day report before you travel.
  • If you are travelling on the weekend of 17 and 18 October, plan for the road to be shut all weekend and allow extra time for the A35 and A350.
  • If you live or farm on the stretch, the notice says access will be maintained under escort during closures.
  • If you catch a bus from a stop on this road, the stops are closed for the whole of the works. Ask your operator where to board.
  • For questions, National Highways is on 0300 123 5000 or at info@nationalhighways.co.uk.

The A31 is not the only trunk road affected this week. The A35 Dorchester bypass is closed for one night on Wednesday 30 September. Every booked closure in the county is on our Dorset roadworks and travel page, which we will update with the A31 nights as they are published.

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