B3072

Route

The B3072 is a short B-road in east Dorset.

Crab Orchard

The road starts on the A348 in Ferndown and heads north through the urban area before reaching a set of traffic lights. Here it has to TOTSO right onto what was the pre-bypass A31. A short distance east it turns left at more traffic lights before reaching a staggered GSJ with the current route of the A31; this requires two roundabouts either side of the overbridge.

After going through West Moors, the Fire Brigade training centre is passed, then the B3072 reaches Three Legged Cross where it has to TOTSO twice at two mini-roundabouts to continue its northward journey. The road reaches Verwood where, after several roundabouts, it ends on the B3081.

History

The original route of the B3072

The whole of the above (except for a short section which was A31) was unclassified in 1922. The road originally went south from Ferndown to Ensbury, along what is now the A347. It was extended north to Verwood later in the 1920s.

In the proposals for the 1935 renumberings, it is questioned whether 'the section of this route from a junction with A347 at Ensbury to A348 at Parley Common is suitable for elevation to Class I.' Evidently it was decided that it was, and furthermore, the A347 was diverted along this section of the road, its former route to Wimborne Minster becoming the A341.