dorset

Essential repairs to a bridge in Dorset are due to start in the new year.Cracks have formed beneath the surface of Ferry Bridge, between Portland and Weymouth, and need to be repaired to stop further damage.The route will be partially closed from 19 January with traffic signals initially expected to be in place until 1 March.Councillor Jon Andrews, Dorset Council's cabinet member for place, said: "We understand these works will cause inconvenience, and we're very sorry for that."In…

Chris McHughSouth of EnglandHampshire County CouncilA key section the M27 in Hampshire will be closed between 24 December and 4 JanuaryWith Christmas on the horizon, thousands of people will soon be heading home - but finding a way to beat the rush can be a daunting task. The RAC has predicted this year will be the busiest festive getaway since it began recording the data in 2013, with Christmas Eve alone set to involve 4.2m trips.But with several…

Galya DimitrovaSouth of EnglandLocal resident Alina Jenkins showed what it was like to drive through the flooded Tollbar Way in SouthamptonParts of the south are experiencing flooding and disruption as warnings and advice are issued to those affected.The Environment Agency (EA) has issued multiple flood warnings for Hampshire and Dorset, along with 21 flood alerts for Oxfordshire and 15 for Berkshire.Local fire and rescue services have issued advice to travellers, including not to drive through flood water.Several venues…

A failed asylum seeker has pleaded not guilty to raping a woman in Dorset.Mohammed Fathi Eltbie, from Egypt, denies attacking the woman in her 30s in a wooded area in Bournemouth on 5 November.During a plea hearing at Bournemouth Crown Court, the 24-year-old was represented by barrister Nick Robinson and assisted by an Arabic interpreter.He was remanded in custody until his trial, set to start on 26 May 2026, with a further preliminary hearing set for 23 March.…

A 24-year-old man who died in a two-car crash on a rural road in Dorset was "caring, funny and mischievous", his family have said.Robbie Williams, also known as Robbie Diffey, and another driver, a 57-year-old man from Poole, were both pronounced dead at the scene of the collision on the B3078 at Knowlton, near Wimborne, on Saturday evening.In a statement, the family of father-of-two Mr Williams, from Poole, said his death had "left a huge hole in all…

A "very lucky" pet dog has been rescued after spending more than a week stuck around cliffs on the Dorset coast.Kimmeridge Coastguard Rescue Team (CRT) said its members were alerted to a spaniel trapped on a beach at Egmount Point while they were training on Tuesday evening.A rope team from Swanage Coastguard was brought in to lower rescuers from the clifftop to the beach below. They then managed to entice her into a recovery bag to be hoisted…

Sophie CridlandSouth of EnglandLDRSA landslip at the site in March 2016 pushed concrete barriers aside at Dinah's HollowA councillor has said a partial road closure on a main route across a county will be disruptive for local people.Motorists face a year-long diversion at Dinah's Hollow as Dorset Council carries out stabilisation works following a number of landslips.Works will start on the key north-south route on 5 January with an access point for residents and emergency services.Councillor Jane Somper…

Galya DimitrovaSouth of EnglandPA MediaDorset Police said that a note in Mr Newton's handwriting found at the couple's house "gives rise to the hypothesis that Michael was struggling with Heather's condition"A retired salesman took his own life after killing his wife after struggling to cope with her deteriorating condition from suspected Huntington's disease, an inquest has heard.The bodies of Michael and Heather Newton were found at their home in Anthony's Avenue in Poole, Dorset, at 11.35 GMT on…

Getty ImagesWhite-tailed eagles were reintroduced to the south coast of England in 2019The disappearance of three white-tailed eagles who were part of a successful conservation programme is being investigated by police.The cases include a chick born in the wild earlier this year in Sussex, one of the first white-tailed eagles to fledge in England for hundreds of years.Forestry England said satellite trackers from two eagles were found in September, apparently cut off and dumped close to the birds'…

A wildlife charity has defended plans to cut back on visitor infrastructure at two nature reserves as it refocuses resources.The RSPB said it would remove viewing platforms and stop maintaining some paths at Lodmoor and Radipole in Weymouth, Dorset, focusing more on improving wildlife habitats.But Weymouth and Portland Marine Litter Project, which carries out litter picks at RSPB Radipole Lake, said the area was "neglected" and the changes would have a "negative effect".RSPB Arne and Weymouth Wetlands said…