Widening the southbound A31 between the A338/B3347 junction at Ringwood and the B3081 Verney Underpass to provide a third lane. The southbound entrance sliproad from West Street at the Fish Inn will also be closed permanently as part of the works.
The aims of the scheme are to optimise traffic flow and thus reduce congestion at the Canford Bottom junction, to the east of Wimborne Minster in Dorset. A "hamburger" junction will be created by extending the A31 (as a dual carriageway) through the existing roundabout. The roundabout will be fully signalised at all entry and exit points to manage traffic flow. In the longer term, councils in the area are preparing a transport plan which includes a proposal to upgrade this junction to full grade-separation.
