A31 Dorset: Ignored/Forgotten/Ringwood Improvements

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andrewwoods
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Re: A31 Dorset: Ignored/Forgotten/Ringwood Improvements

Post by andrewwoods »

WHBM wrote: Thu Oct 21, 2021 18:14 Are both carriageway bridges being rebuilt ? I seem to recall they are 4 lanes eastbound but only 2 lanes westbound. I'm always particularly cautious coming down the hill westbound.
No, just the westbound one
WHBM
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Re: A31 Dorset: Ignored/Forgotten/Ringwood Improvements

Post by WHBM »

Presumably the bridges date from different times. The original stone narrow bridge is still right alongside as well.
Richardf
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Re: A31 Dorset: Ignored/Forgotten/Ringwood Improvements

Post by Richardf »

Was it really nessesary to merge my new Ringwood thread with this one in particular? Thread isn't just about the A31 at Ringwood. Other schemes get their own dedicated threads!
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Re: A31 Dorset: Ignored/Forgotten/Ringwood Improvements

Post by Richardf »

WHBM wrote: Fri Oct 22, 2021 13:00 Presumably the bridges date from different times. The original stone narrow bridge is still right alongside as well.
I believe the westbound bridge was built for the original single carriageway Ringwood bypass in the 1930s. The eastbound was built later (2 lanes) when the bypass was dualled and extended in the 1970s. Then widened again in the 1990s to the current 4 lanes.
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andyh3930
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Re: A31 Dorset: Ignored/Forgotten/Ringwood Improvements

Post by andyh3930 »

Highways England have updated some the the closure dates.
https://nationalhighways.co.uk/our-work ... st-updates
The Westbound on-slip is now going to be closed from 4th Jan 22 until November 22.
The diversion is to go Eastbound to Poulner then back Westbound. With the traffic going around the roundabout from Ringwood that intends to go westbound slowing traffic from A338 South and then getting back on the A31 West given that the Poulner on-slip is very short; it is going to cause chaos;
John McAdam
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Re: A31 Dorset: Ignored/Forgotten/Ringwood Improvements

Post by John McAdam »

andyh3930 wrote: Sat Nov 13, 2021 11:00 Highways England have updated some the the closure dates.
https://nationalhighways.co.uk/our-work ... st-updates
...
An aside but I see that NH (nee HE) are now using the 'nationalhighways.co.uk' domain name - this must have changed in the last week, as before then they were still using the 'highwaysengland.co.uk' domain name.
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Re: A31 Dorset: Ignored/Forgotten/Ringwood Improvements

Post by Richardf »

https://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/20109 ... -ringwood/

Seems to be coming along quite nicely. Dont know if they are on schedule or not.
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Micro The Maniac
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Re: A31 Dorset: Ignored/Forgotten/Ringwood Improvements

Post by Micro The Maniac »

“This work will not affect traffic on the A31, as all activities are taking place within the closed westbound section.”
Surely this should say “This work will not affect traffic on the A31 any more than is already the case, as all activities are taking place within the closed westbound section, which already causes enough chaos!

That said, you cannot make an omelette without breaking eggs, and this improvement is sorely needed.
SteveA30
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Re: A31 Dorset: Ignored/Forgotten/Ringwood Improvements

Post by SteveA30 »

ironically, even with narrow lanes and a 50 limit, the traffic flows OK, although I haven't been through on the recent Bank Holidays. The reason is the closure of the Ringwood on-slip. This traffic queueing to join caused A31 traffic to back up Poulner Hill, because many would move over to the outside lane and cause a ripple effect. I believe the old road on-slip is closing and the newer slip mentioned may have a lane gain perhaps?
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WHBM
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Re: A31 Dorset: Ignored/Forgotten/Ringwood Improvements

Post by WHBM »

I came through a few days ago and the westbound downhill into Ringwood was no worse than usual.

Also notable was the amount of heavy plant packed into a tight space, more than in that newspaper photo. Looked like a project in Hong Kong. The plant engineer in charge must have worked out all the overlapping crane jib swings very carefully. Who is the main contractor ?
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Re: A31 Dorset: Ignored/Forgotten/Ringwood Improvements

Post by Richardf »

How's it going at Ringwood? Anyone been that way lately?

When is it due to be finished? Thanks.
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RichardA35
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Re: A31 Dorset: Ignored/Forgotten/Ringwood Improvements

Post by RichardA35 »

Richardf wrote: Sun Oct 09, 2022 20:53 How's it going at Ringwood? Anyone been that way lately?

When is it due to be finished? Thanks.
Road closure for last TM switch mid/end October ahead of completion in November according to NH
https://nationalhighways.co.uk/our-road ... -widening/
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solocle
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Re: A31 Dorset: Ignored/Forgotten/Ringwood Improvements

Post by solocle »

Richardf wrote: Sun Oct 09, 2022 20:53 How's it going at Ringwood? Anyone been that way lately?

When is it due to be finished? Thanks.
I went that way back in June, when they had the stretch from Cadnam closed for something like drainage works. I got onto the A31 just before the closure took effect, so very quickly had the road to myself. :D
Image
Image
Actually the closure was due to start at 9pm, and I was slightly late, but there was a crash on the A336, which I think may have been the "incident elsewhere" which meant that the closure was delayed.

Here's the ride through video:

Cadnam is at 1:32:00
Poulner Hill and Ringwood at 2:04:00
Entering the contraflow at 2:08:00

It's a bit dark, but hopefully still of interest.
SteveA30
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Re: A31 Dorset: Ignored/Forgotten/Ringwood Improvements

Post by SteveA30 »

Good work at Ringwood, they identified the 2 weak links and fixed them.
1. The short Ringwood entry slip had to join a D2, resulting in cars almost stopping as they tried to join a mass of traffic. Lane 1 would come to a halt, as drivers let people join. many moved over to lane 2 causing queues there as well. Now a lane gain and 3 lanes beyond.
2. Entering from the old A31 by the pub, just as cars turned off for the services. Rejoining was tricky as well. Now 3 lanes. Old road closed.
3. The outside lane only started about here, now 3 lanes throughout reducing weaving.
Attachments
A338 Ringwood on-slip. Now a lane gain
A338 Ringwood on-slip. Now a lane gain
Old A31 entry now closed
Old A31 entry now closed
Verwood exit and A338 and A31 lanes
Verwood exit and A338 and A31 lanes
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Re: A31 Dorset: Ignored/Forgotten/Ringwood Improvements

Post by WHBM »

Came through Ringwood on 11 November with the signs saying End November Completion, thought that was impossible looking at works still in hand. Came through 28 November - completely finished and cleared away ! Well done team.
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