A31 closure: Drivers warned of further delays as fire crews battle blaze size of 200 football pitches
Firefighters have been at the scene since Sunday
Drivers have been warned the A31 is expected to remain closed until “late next week” as fire crews battle a blaze the size of 200 football pitches.
The major route through the New Forest to the south-west was closed in both directions after a van fire on Sunday 9 August around 5.30pm, which then spread to nearby heathland. No one was injured in the fire.
Replacement of at least 1,000 metres of boundary fencing, road resurfacing and several hundred metres of vehicle restraint barrier are now needed before the road can reopen.
The westbound carriageway is currently closed between the M27 junction 2 and the A338 at Ringwood. The eastbound carriageway is closed between the A338 and M27 junction 1.
The area affected by the fire is now estimated to be “165 acres, approximately the size of 200 football pitches”, National Highways said.
The authority added: “Teams have assessed the damage caused by the fire and significant repairs are required to highways’ infrastructure. This includes replacement of at least 1,000 metres of boundary fencing, road resurfacing and several hundred metres of vehicle restraint barrier.”
National Highways, in a social media post, added: “Road is expected to remain closed till late next week.”