Dorset roads and travel news
Dorset roads and travel news, newest first: closures, roadworks, rail changes, buses and parking, from the authorities' own notices.
Top story
Storm Austen: Portland Beach Road Open, Chiswell Flood Alert
Portland Beach Road stayed open overnight as Storm Austen hit Dorset. Flood alerts cover both coasts, and the wind warning runs to 4pm Friday.
More stories
Gillingham
Gillingham's Madjeston Way Opens After Three Years Closed
The 1.3km road linking New Road and Shaftesbury Road across south Gillingham is now open, three years after it was finished. Here is how it works.
Poole
Poole to Cherbourg Ferry Ends: MP Asks PM to Keep Door Open
The Barfleur's last Poole to Cherbourg sailing ends a 34-year link. Vikki Slade MP raised it with the PM, who offered a meeting with the Europe minister.
Buses
Dorset Buses: 700 Extra Weekly Journeys From Summer 2027
Dorset Council has approved a seven-year bus plan: 700 more journeys a week and Saturday buses on every core route from summer 2027. Routes are not named yet.
Roadworks
Dorchester Road Weymouth Closure: Buses Diverted From 23 Oct
Dorchester Road in Radipole is closed from 19 October to Christmas. Buses 2, 10 and X51 divert from 23 October via Weymouth Way and miss six stops.
Roadworks
A31 Shut All Weekend 16 to 19 Oct, Bere Regis to the A350
The A31 from Bere Regis to the A350 shuts 9pm Friday 16 October to 6am Monday 19 October, now confirmed in National Highways' report, after nights to 15 October.
Transport
Sandbanks Ferry Refit: Last Crossings on 1 November
The chain ferry stops for a planned seven weeks from 2 November for its major refit in Poole and Falmouth. The last sailing leaves Shell Bay at 11.10pm on Sunday 1 November.
Remembrance
Dorset Remembrance Sunday: 10.55am in Weymouth and Dorchester
Weymouth and Dorchester both start at 10.55am on Sunday 8 November at their war memorials. The Esplanade parade, the roads that shut and free parking.
Ferndown
Victoria Road Ferndown revamp starts Monday 7 September
Ten weeks of work on Ferndown's shopping street start 7 September. The road and all shops stay open, with planters, seating and parking changes coming.
Weymouth
Abbotsbury Road Weymouth: 12 Weeks of Lights from 7 Sep
Temporary signals where Abbotsbury Road meets Chickerell Road stay until 27 November. Both roads now shut overnight from 23 to 27 November, not 9 to 16.
Roads
Weymouth Esplanade to close overnight from 28 September
Dorset Council will shut the Esplanade 8pm to 6am from 28 September to 17 October for resurfacing, with Wessex Roundabout to follow. The full autumn list.
Trains
Dorset Christmas trains 2026: no service 25 and 26 December
No trains on 25 or 26 December; buses replace Wareham to Weymouth trains on Sunday 13 December. Last year's last Weymouth train left Waterloo at 7.35pm.