Drainage maintenance planned at Bakers Arms Roundabout ahead of winter

To help reduce the risk of flooding and disruption during the winter months, Dorset Council will carry out essential drainage maintenance works at Bakers Arms Roundabout near Lytchett Minster between 1 and 30 November 2026.

The roundabout, which connects the A35 and A350, is one of the area's busiest junctions and plays an important role in keeping people, goods and services moving across south east Dorset.

Bakers Arms Roundabout has experienced flooding during periods of prolonged heavy rainfall in the past. In 2025, Dorset Council completed a major programme of drainage improvements at the site, including increasing the capacity of surrounding drainage ditches to improve the junction's resilience to severe weather.

The forthcoming works form part of Dorset Council's ongoing programme of preventative drainage maintenance, and are being undertaken ahead of winter to ensure the drainage network is operating effectively and at its optimum capacity.

The works will include:

• inspection and assessment of the drainage network
• removal of debris and blockages
• cleansing and jetting of drains and pipework
• minor repairs identified during inspections
• clearance and maintenance of drainage ditches surrounding the roundabout

This will help ensure the drainage system can deal with surface water as effectively as possible during the wetter winter months.

Cllr Jack Jeanes, Dorset Council's Cabinet Member for Place Services, said:

"We know Bakers Arms Roundabout is a key route for local people, businesses and visitors, and that flooding at this location has caused concern in the past.

"The drainage improvements completed last year have significantly strengthened the site's resilience. However, regular inspection and maintenance remain essential to ensure the network continues to operate effectively and that we maximise the benefit of those improvements.

"We recognise these works coincide with the temporary closure of the Sandbanks Chain Ferry and have carefully considered the timing. However, completing this maintenance ahead of winter is important in helping to reduce the risk of flooding-related disruption later in the year."

To minimise disruption, the roundabout will remain open throughout the programme, with traffic continuing to flow through the junction under lane closures on the approaches to the roundabout. These arrangements provide a safe working environment for maintenance crews while helping to keep delays to a minimum.

Lane restrictions will be in place throughout the works and delays are expected, particularly during peak travel periods. Drivers are advised to allow extra time for their journeys and follow all temporary traffic management measures.

While the drainage network has been upgraded and is proactively maintained to improve resilience, periods of exceptionally heavy or prolonged rainfall, particularly when combined with high tide conditions, may occasionally exceed the capacity of the system and result in localised flooding.

Dorset Council would like to thank residents, businesses and road users for their patience and understanding while these important maintenance works are carried out.