Landslip road stabilisation work hits halfway point

A year-long project to stabilise steep slopes alongside a key route in Dorset to prevent further landslips has reached the halfway point.

The C13 at Dinah's Hollow, near Shaftesbury, has been closed with diversions in place since January. Dorset Council previously said there was a risk of a fatality on the route unless the work went ahead.

The stabilisation work involves putting steel nails into the slope face, covered with mesh, along with clearing trees, reprofiling the slopes and improving drainage.

The council said the recent hot weather had meant weekday working hours were extended to cooler parts of the day and working at weekends. It said residents had been informed.

In 2015, concrete barriers were put in along the roadside as a temporary safety measure to reduce the risk from landslips.

Despite the barriers, there have been several landslips. In 2016, about 35 tonnes of soil slipped from the east bank and, in 2021, a further six to eight tonnes fell between the barrier and the road.

The road is closed between Boundary Road and the B3081, with access for residents and emergency services between Boundary Lane and West Lane.

A diversion route will be in place on the A350 but HGVs travelling southbound will be directed along the A30 to Shaftesbury then on to Stalbridge to re-join the A350.

Other measures in place during the works including one-way systems and temporary 20mph speed limits.

The work is expected to be completed by the end of December.