Work is about to start to strengthen the road edge of Water Lane/West Street in Winterborne Stickland, and the design of the reconstruction will take into account the local water vole population.

The road has historically seen the verge falling into the river due to the erosion of the bank over time. As the road is rural, and narrow, the verge is further pushed into the river by vehicles using the grassy edge to pass each other.

In normal circumstances, steel gabions or sheet piles would be used to support the road embankment but, to help support the water vole habitat, Dorset Highways will be using a modified recycled material called Cement Bound Granular Macadam (CBGM).

The alternative material will significantly stiffen the edge of the road to prevent the road edge being pushed into the river by traffic.

Work will only be carried out in 50m sections over several years to further protect the water vole habitat. A historic plastic sheet, previously used to prevent the undermining of the verge, will also be removed from the area.

Portfolio holder for Highways, Travel and Environment, Cllr Ray Bryan, said: “Dorset’s natural environment is home to a multitude of wildlife, many of which are protected.

“Not only do we have a great track record of recycling materials back into our surfacing works, we also actively support the natural environment when designing our highway improvement schemes.”

As well as work to reinforce the road, official passing places will be clearly marked and marker posts will be put on the verge following the works, to prevent vehicles from damaging the verge in the future.

Phase one of the works will start on Monday 14 June with the road closed to vehicles, 24 hours-a-day, for one week, while the first 50m of collapsed verge is rebuilt and the road edge reconstructed with a cement-based foundation.