As the A31 Ringwood road widening work approaches completion, we can reveal the westbound Verwood exit slip will re-open ahead of schedule this weekend.

From 6am on Sunday 23rd October, the A31 westbound traffic will be moving from the contraflow back onto two lanes of the westbound carriageway to enable workers to carry out kerb, drainage and barrier installation in the central reservation.

And with it, traffic will be able to exit at the Verwood junction towards Matchams lane and Verwood/Alderholt.

To achieve this, there are some overnight closures planned from 8pm till 6am:

• Friday 21 and Saturday 22 October – full A31 westbound closure between M27 Junction 1 at Cadnam and the A338 Ashley Heath Roundabout overnight
• Sunday 23 October – full A31 eastbound closure between the A338 Ashley Heath Roundabout and M27 Junction 1 at Cadnam
• Monday 24 to Friday 28 October – Ringwood Flyover east and westbound closure (traffic will be diverted off and on again at the Ringwood junction)

The Ringwood westbound entry slip will be used overnight only as part of the off and on again diversion but will be closed again until the completion of the works.

The Verwood exit slip road has been closed for almost 12 months, with traffic coming from the New Forest / M27 having to continue ahead to the Ashley Heath Roundabout and turnaround to reach Verwood.