Safety improvements continue to be rolled out across the A35 following pressure from West Dorset MP Chris Loder, whose A35 Taskforce led the way for a comprehensive overhaul of road safety on West Dorset’s primary trunk road given the high rate of accidents on the road.
Monkey’s Jump Roundabout is due for the final programme of future proofing and landscaping works to be complete by the end of this month (March 2022), alongside a raft of additional safety measures following last year’s high-profile intervention from West Dorset MP Chris Loder in the House of Commons. The MP’s A-Roads Taskforce launched in April last year has applied pressure to National Highways to remediate the flooding and safety issues along the A35, including potholes, white lines, reflective studs and signage.
Mr Loder said: “We have seen so many road accidents along this road in recent years, and previously the A35 has been left behind in terms of strategic ambition. The West Dorset A-Roads Taskforce, was launched in April last year to put pressure on National Highways and the Council to address the numerous problems this road has. I am very pleased to see the A35 is now getting the strategic investment and safety improvement it needs”.
The Phase 2 works at Monkey’s Jump Roundabout will future-proof earlier drainage works and provide landscaping of the site to improve the aesthetic of the County Town’s gateway roundabout. Additional works include remediating the flooding at Max Gate and “Enhanced Maintenance Activities” along the A35 from Bridport to Axminster to optimise visibility of signage and markings, following Mr Loder’s calls for improvement: all projects are anticipated to be completed by the end of the month, when Mr Loder will be expecting the Duchy of Cornwall to also complete their committed road improvements soon afterwards.
