Major safety improvements at a busy junction in Dorchester are on track to complete by mid-May.
Work started in January at the 4-way Maumbury Cross junction. It includes installation of much-needed signal-controlled pedestrian crossing points, widening and levelling of footways, where possible, and upgrading existing equipment.
Construction is in its final stages, with the tasks of road surfacing, line marking and connecting signal equipment scheduled as below.
Work to be carried out between 8pm and 6am:
- Monday 28 April to Friday 2 May (finishing 6am Saturday) – road surfacing
- Tuesday 6 and Wednesday 7 May (finishing 6am Thursday) – line marking
- Wednesday 7 to Friday 9 May, and Monday 12 May (finishing 6am Tuesday) – cutting the tarmac, known as ‘slot cutting’ and installing sensors for new traffic signals
The new traffic signals will be connected week commencing 12 May.
Due to the nature of the work and the high number of vehicles that use the junction, it is not possible to carry out this work during the day. Dorset Council has written to affected households in the area to advise them that the work will be noisy and removal of the road surface will cause vibration.
Unfortunately, the council is unable to carry out this work during the daytime due to the high vehicle numbers at the junction.
To provide a safe working area, the following roads will be closed during the night works:
- Weymouth Avenue closed between Cheriton Care Home and Great Western Road
- Maumbury Road closed between number 18 and the junction of Great Western Road
A locally signed diversion route will be in place.
Pedestrian access will be kept and a safe route will be signposted during the overnight works. Access will be maintained for emergency vehicles attending properties within the closure.
Subject to any changes, the new junction will be fully open and operating by mid-May. The Edward Road closure will also be removed at this time.
Cllr Jon Andrews, Cabinet Member for Place Services, Dorset Council, said: “As we reach the final couple of weeks, the work is going to be noisy and may cause disturbance. I appreciate it is frustrating that it cannot take place in the daytime, but unfortunately traffic flow makes this impossible. Please bear with us. I thank everyone affected for their patience and perseverance in these final stages.
“I am delighted with the way the project has progressed within the planned timeframe. I am very grateful to motorists for their co-operation during the works, and pedestrians for their support as we diverted their normal paths.
“Finally, a huge thank you to our highways crew who’ve kept this project on schedule.
“I look forward to seeing the temporary signals removed and all users being able to enjoy a smoother passage through the junction.”
