Works on a number of roads in Dorset, including some in Verwood and Corfe Mullen are set to cause traffic delays in the first three weeks of July.

Next week, Dorset Highways will start carrying out premium surface dressing on large sections of ‘A’ and ‘B’ roads, protecting them from water damage and keeping them in a good condition for longer.

Many of these roads have already had patching work completed on them over the last 12 months – repairing any structural defects – in preparation for this work to extend the life and quality of Dorset’s roads.

Work will be carried out between 9.30am and 3.30pm under convoy working, where a vehicle – travelling at 10mph – will lead drivers through the works area. There will be no on street parking available during the work.

Drivers are being advised to allow extra time for their journey or find an alternative route, as the convoy working will slow traffic down considerably.

Jack Wiltshire, Dorset Council head of Highways, said: “After the work has finished an advisory 20mph speed limit will be in place while the stone chippings are further bedded-in by vehicles travelling over the surface. Our sweeper crew will remove any surplus chippings 48 hours later.

“Please drive slowly over the new surface and leave increased space between vehicles – the low speed limit is in place for the safety of road users.

“Surface dressing forms a vital part of our annual road maintenance programme, alongside micro-surfacing, in-situ recycling and resurfacing treatments. Using this variety of treatments means more of our roads get repaired with the budget available, compared to using resurfacing alone.”

This year’s sites will form a rolling programme that is weather dependent, with yellow advance notice boards put in place on site two days in advance to confirm dates of the work and ensure no roadside parking in the area for the period of work.

Sites scheduled for treatment:

28 and 29 June – A352, Middlemarsh – parish boundary north of Tall Trees Farm, Longburton to Middlemarsh

29 and 30 June – Ottery Lane & Horsecastles, Sherborne

30 June to 2 July – Bristol Road, Sherborne

5 July – A350, Blandford – A357 to Whitecliff Mill Hill

6 and 7 July – A354 – Pimperne to Tarrant Hinton

7 and 8 July – B3081, Cranborne – Handley Hill Roundabout to Creech Hill Farm

9 July – B3081, Verwood – Sutton Hill Camp Site to Remedy Gate

9 and 12 July – Ringwood Road, Verwood – Merryfield Close Roundabout to Lake Road

12 July – Ringwood Road, Verwood – Lake Road to county boundary

13 July – B3081, Verwood Road – Hampshire boundary to A31 on-slip

14 July – Wimborne Road, Corfe Mullen

14 and 15 July- Old Wareham Road, Corfe Mullen – A350 Blandford Road North to Springdale Road Roundabout

15 and 18 July – Morden Road – Sherford Bridge to A351 Sandford Road Roundabout

19 July – Dorchester Road, Wool – Burton Cross Roundabout to Jct Baileys Drove

19 and 20 July – Main Road, Osmington – west of White Horse Chalet to Jct C42 Mills Road