A road in Dorset has been closed both ways due to mud.

The A353 Preston Road was closed at 8pm yesterday (Tuesday, October 15) due to mud on the road between the A352 at Warmwell Cross, and Seaview Holiday Park in Preston.

The westbound side road remained closed for motorists after sensors indicated that the eastbound side of the road was 'passable'. The road was reopened at 9am. 

A spokesperson for Dorset Council said that vehicles were 'ignoring' the closure which hindered the clean-up operations. 

One motorist described the traffic in the area as chaos. They said: "A lot of traffic has diverted via Combe Valley Road, and an artic lorry was holding up the traffic earlier on what is a very narrow lane."

A spokesperson for Dorset Police said: "We received a report at around 7pm on Tuesday, October 15 of mud on the road on the A353 at Osmington near Weymouth.

"Officers attended and closed the road. The local authority was notified."

A spokesperson for Dorset Council said: "We received reports yesterday evening from Dorset Police that vehicles were losing control due to excess mud on the A353, specifically between the Warmwell Cross roundabout and Osmington village.

“We put in place a temporary closure of the affected section of the road so the mud could be cleared.

"Unfortunately, vehicles were ignoring the closure which hindered our clean-up operations.  These are complete and the road reopened at 9am today.

“Busy agricultural work and ongoing heavy rainfall means this issue is not uncommon at this time of year, with farmers unintentionally bringing soil onto the roads while going about their normal business. We therefore remind drivers to drive to the conditions of the road, particularly in rural areas.”