Beaminster: fallen tree closes busy A3066 for several hours

The A3066 near Beaminster was shut for several hours after the tree fell earlier this morning (Saturday, July 15).

Motorists were urged to avoid the area as tree teams cleared the road of vegetation near the Netherbury turn-off in west Dorset. 

The road was closed from the junction with Whitcombe Road in Beaminster and drivers heading from Melplash were also being forced to find alternative routes.

The route has now reopened. 

The road has been closed from Whitcombe Road in Beaminster (Image: NQ)

It comes as Dorset is hit with high winds, with the Met Office issuing a weather warning for the county today.

The warning is in place for the whole of Dorset all day - the forecaster has said it will likely be an 'unseasonably windy day' for the affected area.

A Met Office spokesperson said: "A deep area of low pressure will affect parts of the UK on Saturday with some very strong gusts of wind likely to its south.

"A blustery and showery day (with some thunder) will see winds gust widely to 40 mph, and locally up to 50 to 55 mph during the daytime.

"Some minor damage and travel disruption is likely. Winds will moderate later in the evening and overnight."

Trees have also fallen in other parts of the county and drivers and those on public transport are being urged to plan their journeys ahead of time. 

The adverse weather conditions have already affected the Jurassic Fields music festival in Bridport, with last night called off.

However organisers are braving the wind and going ahead with today's line-up.

The Tolpuddle Martyrs’ Festival in Dorset has also been cancelled due to 'extreme weather'.