National Highways has brought a range of improvements to the A35 in order to improve safety and visibility for drivers.

The company, responsible for England's motorways and major A roads, has invested £350,000 to carry out various pieces of work along the route between Axminster and Bere Regis to improve safety for motorists.

Maintenance has included new white lining, sign cleaning and the removal of any sign obstructions along the route, including vegetation clearance along the verges.

Mark Fox, National Highways' interim South West regional director, said: "We are working through two route safety studies covering 39 miles of the A35 - Honiton to Charmouth roundabout and Charmouth roundabout to Yellowham Hill. Within the studies, a number of measures are being identified and these will be delivered no later than 2024/25.

"In the meantime, we have implemented an extensive programme of enhanced maintenance that will help to provide safer and smoother, improved journeys along the A35.

"We have also delivered a number of recent schemes along the route and, working with our local authority partners at Devon County Council and Dorset Council, and our police partners, we will continue to address evidenced safety concerns."

In addition to the enhanced maintenance work, National Highways has also invested £654,000 to deliver a drainage system at Monkey's Jump roundabout and a similar £642,000 scheme at Max Gate junction near Dorchester, within the last year.

A £300,000 designated funded pedestrian crossing has also been installed in Morcombelake and the creation of species-rich grassland alongside the A35 between Kilmington and Winterbourne Abbas.

Also in the pipeline for the A35, within the second roads investment period, is:

• A safety scheme near Charmouth
• The completion of a permanent 30mph speed limit at Chideock, following an air quality trial
• Charmouth to Yelllowham, near Dorchester, safety measures
• A new stadium roundabout cycling/pedestrian crossing on Weymouth Road
• A drainage scheme at Kingston Russell

For more details on National Highways' work in the South West, visit nationalhighways.co.uk