WORK to demolish a road in north Dorset will be carried out early this morning to avoid disruption to a couple’s wedding.

Dorset Council highways workers are carrying out major construction work to replace three flood arch structures on the A357 at Durweston, near Blandford.

Today the road will close at 7am while the section that runs over the flood arches is removed. The work is due to finish at midday.

Tomorrow, the flood arches will be demolished.

Dorset Council said the noisy removal works were being carried out early this morning to ensure a local bride and groom’s wedding at St Nicholas’ Church in Durweston is not disrupted later in the day.

Councillor Ray Bryan, portfolio holder for highways, said: “We were contacted by the bride before we started our work and, as the wedding is on the first day of the closure, I’m pleased we’ve been able to accommodate her request for us to not disrupt the special day.”

The road will be closed for four weeks, until Sunday, July 21, and drivers between Blandford and Sturminster Newton are being reminded to allow extra time for their journeys.

The signed diversion route for traffic will be on the same ‘A’ classification of road to ensure it is suitable for all vehicles. Drivers will be directed to use the A350 to Shaftesbury, A30 to Henstridge and A357 back down to Durweston.

The diversion route is so long as there are no other ‘A’ roads in the area, Dorset Council says. Residents may choose to find an alternative local route but are asked not to use private roads in the area.

Cllr Bryan said: “I know this is going to be an incredibly frustrating time for drivers in the area – with longer journey times and busier local roads – but please respect each other.

“Use roads suitable for your vehicle, allow give-and-take on narrower roads and remain off private roads, unless you have permission to use them.”

The closure is needed because the flood arches on the eastern side of the village – and the road over them – will be demolished so new culvert units can be installed.

Dorset Highways has been working alongside the A357 at Durweston since mid-March, preparing for the replacement of the flood arch structures, which are deteriorating. The half-a-million-pound project to replace the current brick arches with pre-cast concrete units will be completed in September.