The A35 between Bridport and Axminster will be closed for five nights this week.

Resurfacing works will be carried out on Chideock Hill as landslip works on the hill have been paused. These works have seen the carriageway reduced from three lanes to two and were due to be completed this month.

Stephen Potts, Highways England service manager, said: "Since starting work in late July, we have identified that the landslip has deteriorated since the initial assessment of the stabilising work required and further evaluation and possible re-design is now being undertaken.

"Our maintenance programme was interrupted by the works, and having paused the stabilising work, and as the A35 is currently unaffected by the landslip, we will now be able to carry our essential resurfacing of the carriageway at Chideock Hill.

"Once we have carried out our review, the landslip repair work will be reprogrammed for the new year."

The resurfacing work will take place from tonight (Monday, October 26) until Friday from 8pm to 6am.

Eastbound diversions will be in place from the Yarty junction at Axminster, taking traffic via the A358, A30, A356 and A3066 to rejoin the A35 at the East Road roundabout in Bridport, with the westbound diversion in reverse.

During the overnight works, access will be maintained for Chideock and Morcombelake residents.