Major disruption to a key Dorset route has finished two weeks early.

A 200-metre stretch of the B3157 (Goose Hill), Portesham has re-opened ahead of schedule today, with three-way signal lights in place to allow traffic to flow through.

The Coast Road was shut to traffic in both directions in late September to allow Wessex Water’s £200,000 six-week project to replace ageing water mains to take place.

The three-way signals are in place on the B3157 and at Malthouse Meadow on the western side of Portesham from Monday, October 28, until early November as the team complete the vital project to replace existing pipes that had been bursting, disrupting water supplies to the area.

A Wessex Water spokesperson said: “We are delighted to be able to reopen this road ahead of schedule thanks to a huge effort by our on-site team, who have worked seven days a week on the project.

“Road closures are always a last resort and, in this case, was due to the location of the existing main. However, they are now in a position to continue the project while reopening the road under traffic lights until the end of the project in November.

“We know the B3157 is an important route locally and we’d like to thank customers, businesses and Chesil Bank Parish Council who have worked closely with us to try and reduce the impact of the closure on the local area.

“The new main will help to ensure that improved water quality and a more reliable supply is in place for future years.’’ 

A diversion for the closure, which was using the B3157, A354 (Weymouth Way), B3159 and A35 roads, has also been lifted while the reopening will also allow bus services to resume their regular route, meaning the shuttle bus service travelling between Abbotsbury and Bridport that was funded by Wessex Water will end.

The First Bus service running through the area will return to normal on Sunday, November 3.

As reported by the News, businesses in Abbotsbury had been impacted by the road closures, with many saying that their sales ‘had gone down.’

However, people in Portesham approached by the News say they have been largely unaffected as they can get to Weymouth without issues and took back roads to get to Abbotsbury.