Vearse Farm, Bridport

Brookbanks secured Technical Approval for the delivery of a new three-arm roundabout on the A35 at its junction with the B3162, the primary access route into Bridport, Dorset. Delivered on behalf of Barratt David Wilson and Vistry, the infrastructure forms a key Section 106 obligation associated with the wider Vearse Farm development, which will deliver 760 new homes as part of a major residential scheme. Located on the A35 trunk road, a key strategic route managed by National Highways and connecting road users across the South West, the project presented a number of significant technical, logistical and stakeholder coordination challenges. These included complex level differences across the site, ecology requirements and the need to develop a carefully considered traffic management strategy capable of maintaining network operation throughout the construction programme.

Our Role

Working across our Development Partner, Engineering & Design and Project Delivery & Management specialist services, we provided a coordinated approach to securing Technical Approval and supporting the delivery strategy for the scheme.

Our Civil Engineering team led the design development and Technical Approval process, developing the infrastructure proposals required to unlock delivery of the wider residential development. This work was instrumental in progressing a key Section 106 infrastructure obligation associated with the 760-home Vearse Farm scheme.

Alongside securing Technical Approval, we have continued to act as Project Manager for the roundabout delivery, overseeing the process from approval through to tender and commencement on site. This has involved coordinating a range of technical, programme and stakeholder requirements to support a practical and deliverable construction strategy.

Given the strategic importance of the A35 and its role as a key route into the South West, careful consideration was required to minimise disruption to road users and the local community, particularly during the busy summer season. We worked closely with National Highways, Dorset Council and Connect to secure the required road space approvals and establish a delivery programme aligned with wider network requirements.

A sensitive construction methodology was developed to allow continuous two-way traffic flow along the A35 while maintaining safe access into Bridport throughout the works. We also coordinated the Construction Traffic Management Plan (CTMP), traffic management proposals and associated technical approvals to ensure the works could be delivered safely and efficiently.

All works are being delivered in accordance with the Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) associated with the adjacent Vearse Farm development, ensuring environmental considerations remain fully integrated into the delivery strategy.

The Outcome

The Bridport project demonstrates the importance of combining technical infrastructure expertise with effective project coordination and stakeholder management to support the delivery of major residential developments.

Through our integrated approach across Development Partner, Engineering & Design and Project Delivery & Management specialist services, we secured Technical Approval for a critical piece of highway infrastructure that will support the delivery of the wider Vearse Farm development.

The project required careful coordination between technical design, programme management and stakeholder engagement to address challenging site conditions, environmental considerations and operational requirements associated with working on a strategically important trunk road network.

By maintaining close collaboration with National Highways, Dorset Council, Connect and the wider project team, we helped establish a practical and deliverable strategy for progressing the infrastructure works while maintaining the efficient operation of the A35 and continued access into Bridport.