Traffic delays of up to 90 minutes as flooding closure continues on A31 near Ringwood

MOTORISTS have faced heavy delays of up to 90 minutes as a stretch of the A31 near Ringwood remains partially closed due to flooding.

Following a previous announcement by National Highways: South-East on X (formerly Twitter) that the westbound carriageway had fully reopened, it clarified that a lane was still shut for emergency repairs.

As reported by the A&T, the lane was first said to be blocked off between the M27 and the A338 Salisbury Road around 6.30pm on Monday.

This initial closure continued for three hours that evening before being reported in place again just after 7am yesterday (Tuesday) morning.

As a result, there were reports of delays of up to 70 minutes amid five miles of congestion on the approach.

Around 12.40pm, the National Highways X feed posted all lanes were cleared, although the exit slip road was expected to be closed for “the next couple of days” for further work.

But it then posted around 2pm: “Please be advised, the lane 1 (of 2) closure remains in place on the A31 westbound between the M27 and A338 near Ringwood.

“The exit slip at Picket Post is also fully closed whilst crews continue to work at scene.”

During yesterday evening’s rush hour, traffic was said to have been tailed back about seven miles with over 90 minutes of delays.

The National Highways feed reported the closures were still in place around 8.20am this morning as repairs and floodwater clearance continued.