Town hit by double road closure

Long Street is one of several roads in the centre of Sherborne that has been jammed at peak times following the closures

The closure of two roads to replace gas mains has caused "nightmare" disruption in a market town, residents have said.

Gas company SGN has closed Coombe in Sherborne, Dorset, until 18 October, while Oborne Road, often used to bypass the A30 that passes through the town, is shut until 1 November.

The head teacher of the Gryphon School in the town said the resulting congestion had led to "significant delays" for school buses, leading to children being late for lessons.

He said after discussions with SGN, the company had agreed to partially lift the closure on Coombe to allow access to the school via Blackberry Lane.

In August, the company announced the two road closures would be put in place as work was carried out to replace the gas main.

"These essential works involve the replacement of old metal gas pipes with new plastic pipes to ensure we can continue to provide residents with a safe and efficient gas supply," it said.

"We understand these closures will be disruptive for the local community - please be assured we'll be doing all we can to minimise disruption as much as possible."

Both Coombe and Oborne Road have been closed to traffic while the gas main is replaced

Residents have expressed frustration at the closures on social media.

"School rush hour has been a nightmare," said one member of Sherborne news and Views on Facebook.

"Lots of us were late at the GP surgery today - traffic gridlocked," posted another.

In a letter to parents, Jim Gower, head of Gryphon School, said: "It has been a frustrating start to the term with respect to the traffic congestion in Sherborne, which has impacted the ability of our students to arrive at school on time in the morning and get home within reasonable time in the afternoon, due to the significant delays to the school buses."

He said after discussions with contractors, engineering works along Coombe between the junctions of Marston Road and Blackberry Lane would cease at "the end of the day on Monday".

Once work is completed on Oborne Road and Castle Town Way, Coombe will be closed cbetween the junctions of Marston Road and Blackberry Lane, with weekend working to be put in place "to minimise disruption", he added.

SFN and Dorset Council have been contacted for comment.