A rusting rail bridge, described as a "disgrace to Dorchester" is to be improved by Network Rail.

The brown-stained and flaking metal bridge is right next to one of the town's tourist attractions, the historic Maumbury Rings Roman amphitheatre, with obtrusive modern metal security fencing at either end of it on the side closest to the station.

Town councillors have previously complained about the state of the bridge and another on Alington Avenue.

Cllr Stella Jones claimed last year that the metal coverings on both structures were put up years ago to avoid having to carry out repairs and maintenance to the original, more ornate, bridges behind. The original bridge in Maumbury Road was removed at the time, but the one in Alington Avenue remains in place and can still be seen.

Town planning chairman Cllr Robin Potter said last year that both bridges look tatty and present a poor impression of the town to visitors arriving by town. He said they should be improved, or replaced, by Network Rail, with the council writing to the company to make the point.

The call was also taken up by West Dorset MP Chris Loder in a meeting with rail bosses to discuss the town's rail stations and to press for a new South station building.

The bridge work, due to begin on Monday, February 7, will result in overnight closures for the section of Maumbury Road from the junction with Weymouth Avenue to the Monmouth Road junction, a distance of around 20yards.

The closures will take place between 10pm and 6am with a diversion in place using Monmouth Road, Culliford Road, Prince of Wales Road and Weymouth Avenue.

It is anticipated the work will take a week to complete.

Over the same period engineers will be working on maintenance at Woodsford level crossing, to the west of Dorchester.

That work will involve the closure of Highgate Lane to traffic from 11.30pm until 5.30am. A diversion will be in place from the lane using the West Links Road, B3390, Warmwell Cross roundabout, the A352 and West Stafford bypass.