DOZENS of people packed a meeting to raise concerns about plans to close Abbotsbury to traffic for three months.

The move is part of a Wessex Water scheme to replace old and burst water mains.

The work is scheduled to start on January 6 and take 12 weeks, although the water company told residents it would be doing everything in its power to finish the works as quickly as possible.

The road will be closed to all through traffic while the work is done and vehicles and heavy lorries will be diverted 42 miles around via the A35. There will, however, be access for Abbotsbury residents for the majority of the time, say planners.

Wessex Water’s design engineer Alan Marler called on people to support their traders during the works.

He said the new water main would benefit the people of Abbotsbury.

He said: “We are asking for help and support and any other ideas.

“I’d ask anyone is Abbotsbury to support their local traders.”

Signs will be in place saying there is no through road through Abbotsbury but that businesses will be open as usual.

Wessex Water said they had no option but to close the road to ensure the safety of the residents and those working on the scheme.

Mr Marler added that they were looking to set up a landline number in Abbotsbury so residents could find out information as the scheme progressed. There will be a shuttle bus for residents running between Abbotsbury Sub Tropical Gardens to the village car park.

This will also be used by bus companies so that people using the bus will stop on one side of the village, catch the shuttle bus past the works and then catch an onward bus. Residents and businesses raised concerns about the timescale for the work and whether it could be possible to open the road on Sundays to through traffic. Other issues raised included the impact on trade and compensation, and whether people would be able to get through the work to get to Portesham surgery.