A ROAD closure and temporary four-way traffic lights come into force at one of Dorchester's busiest road junctions this week – lasting until the end of August.

The works are needed to replace a gas main in Weymouth Avenue and Maumbury Road.

From Wednesday 24 the road will be closed at the Edward Road junction with four-way lights coming into operation on nearby Maumbury crossroads, the busiest junction in the town.

A diversion will be in place for traffic into and out of Edward Road and the eastern section of Coburg Road via Maiden Castle Road or Damers Road for traffic approaching from the other direction.

Initially the gas works will concentrate on the Weymouth Avenue section between Edward Road and Maumbury Road.

Following the completion of the first phase Maumbury Road will then be closed from its junction with Weymouth Avenue to its junction with Herringston Road, potentially until the end of August.

Southern Gas Networks say access for residents and for deliveries to properties in the closed sections of the roads in the second phase will be maintained, supervised by on-site staff from contractors, JDT Utilities Ltd.

Said a statement from project manager Adam Tubb : "These essential works will ensure we can continue to provide a safe and efficient gas supply to resident and the wider community.

"Due to the location of the gas main in the road, for everyone's safety, we'll need to have varying levels of traffic management…

"We're sorry for the disruption these works will cause, our engineers will be doing all they can to complete this work without delay. Please accept our apologies in advance for an inconcevience we cause."