Dual carriageway to reopen following wildfire closure

A dual carriageway at the heart of a wildfire is to reopen almost two weeks after it was shut.

A major incident was declared after a van fire on the A31 near Ringwood on 9 August went on to destroy about 1.6 sq km (0.6 sq miles) of heathland.

The dual carriageway has been closed since the fire started but National Highways has now confirmed the main route between Bournemouth and Southampton will reopen on Saturday morning.

It has completed resurfacing the carriageway, installed 800m (2,624ft) of new safety barriers, and replaced 1,500m (4,921ft) of boundary fencing, it said.

Kat Saradinova, head of scheme delivery, said: "With the fire raging for over a week, the repairs required were substantial and the conditions challenging.

"Our work to replace the damaged fencing to stop animals getting on to the A31 has been essential for the safe opening of the road.

"The New Forest is home to thousands of free-roaming animals, and a collision would put road users as well as livestock at risk."

Temporary protection has been put around damaged parapets - the barriers on elevated parts of the route - until the "bespoke parts" are found.

It means the A31 will reopen with a 40mph speed limit on the eastbound carriageway.

Permanent repairs are expected to be carried out at a later date under overnight closures.

Lane one will remain closed on the westbound carriageway with a 50mph speed limit to allow fire services to safely exit the area.

Lay-bys currently remain closed.