Cllr Toby Slade has slammed BCP Council’s communications over the A35 Christchurch Bypass roadworks

Public communication about the A35 Christchurch Bypass roadworks has been “confusing and misleading”, a councillor has said.

Resurfacing works on sections of the bypass and surrounding roads started last week.

The scheme involves major resurfacing of the A35 Stony Lane (Purewell Cross) roundabout, and a section of the A35 Christchurch Bypass dual carriageway from the Fountain Roundabout to the southern end of the B3347 Stony Lane.

The BCP Council website states that the works would take place under “continuous 24-hour road closures, in two phases”, and advises drivers “to allow up to one hour extra for eastbound journeys and 45 minutes for westbound”.

Cllr Toby Slade says this has led many to believe that the bypass would be completely shut in both directions for three weeks.

The Muscliff and Strouden Park ward councillor has welcomed clarification from BCP Council that the works will not see both carriageways closed simultaneously, but says the authority’s public communication has been confusing and misleading, leaving residents and businesses frustrated.

Cllr Slade also called for future major projects to include clearer public briefings and earlier consultation with ward councillors, local businesses, and residents.

Following correspondence with Cllr Andy Hadley, portfolio holder for highways, Cllr Slade confirmed that the closure will be on the eastbound side for two weeks until 10th November, followed by the closure of the westbound side for one week between 10th November and 17th November.

He also got assurance the road will reopening on Mondays to allow the Christchurch Market to operate.

“I’m grateful for the clarification from Cllr Hadley, but it shouldn’t have required a councillor’s intervention for residents to understand what’s actually happening,” continued Cllr Slade. “The council’s own website made it sound like a total shutdown, which understandably caused anger and confusion.

“I’m urging BCP Council to update the published information immediately so residents and businesses can plan their journeys confidently. Clear, accurate communication is essential for maintaining public trust, especially when such a major route is affected.”

While recognising the engineering constraints that require a 24-hour curing period for the new surface, Cllr Toby Slade said: “People accept disruption when it’s explained properly and handled transparently.”

He added: “Christchurch deserves better communication and smarter planning for works of this scale.”