Motorists have slammed a ‘mental’ diversion that will take them 19 miles through an Area of Oustanding Natural Beauty to get around 550 yards of roadworks.
The stretch of road in Wimborne Minster, a town in Dorset, will be closed for five days for resurfacing work.
Drivers are being told to follow the diversion route through the scenic and protected landscape of Cranborne Chase.
The work will also clash with the closure of another road in the town centre by South West Water for essential water works.
The combined disruption is expected to cause traffic chaos as motorists will have to undertake a 30-minute journey around the Dorset countryside.
The stretch of road in Wimborne Minster, Dorset, will be closed for five days for resurfacing work
Drivers are being told to follow the diversion route through the scenic and protected landscape of Cranborne Chase
Pictured: The diversion in place for the 50 yards of roadworks on a stretch of road in Wimborne Minster
The closed road includes one of the entrances to the Victoria Hospital, Wimborne, and blocks the road from Wimborne town centre to Queen Elizabeth School.
The diversion route will take cars and HGVs north to Blandford Forum, through the villages of Blandford St Mary, Charlton Marshall, Spetisbury, Sturminster Marshall and onto the A31 before arriving back in Wimborne.
Locals have criticised the length of the diversion and the additional time added to their commutes.
Anthony Oliver, Wimborne resident and former mayor, said: ‘It seems totally crazy to have the two works happening at the same time.
The closed road includes one of the entrances to the Victoria Hospital, Wimborne, and blocks the road from Wimborne town centre to Queen Elizabeth School
The combined disruption is expected to cause traffic chaos as motorists will have to undertake a 30-minute journey around the Dorset countryside
‘That will be a fun week for us and anyone else trying to travel around Wimborne.’
Matt Davis said: ‘This council are truly deluded to think that an 19-mile diversion is acceptable ever.’
Sarah Smith Cruttenden added: ‘Well it’s mental.’
A spokesperson for Dorset Council said: ‘A locally signed diversion route will be put in place to enable traffic to travel around the closed section.’
Work will commence on October 28 and is expected to be completed on November 1.