Five-month-long works on busy junction set to begin

A five-month-long road improvement scheme on a major four-way junction is set to begin.

The works on Maumbury Cross in Dorchester, Dorset, begin on Monday.

Signal-controlled pedestrian crossings will be installed and footpaths will be widened and levelled as part of the scheme.

A wheelchair user previously praised the plans to make it safer for those with limited mobility to cross a road.

Between Monday and 7 February, three-way stop/go signals will be in place on Weymouth Avenue and Queens Avenue daily from 09:30 to 14:30 GMT while work takes place.

From February to May, Maumbury Cross will be controlled with four-way temporary lights.

Edward Road will also be closed between Coburg Road and Weymouth Avenue, with a signed diversion in place.

A new section of cycleway and an advanced stop line on the uphill section of Maumbury Road, designed to help cyclists through the junction, will also be installed during the works.

Wheelchair user Geoff said in December that the changes would make life "considerably better" as he was unable to see around the bend and anticipate when cars were coming.

Jon Andrews, Dorset Council's cabinet member for place services, said the junction could be "daunting" and "particularly challenging" during rush hours.

"Full views of approaching vehicles can be difficult and the current layout means some people have to wait in the middle of the road to cross," he added.

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