MORE traffic disruption is on the way for drivers in Dorchester – following months of delays caused by changes at Maumbury Cross and several other roads for gas works.

Alterations to junctions near the County Hospital at Williams Avenue, Bridport Road and Damers Road are all being planned in schemes which aim to make travel safer for cyclists and pedestrians.

For several weeks the works will see some road sections down to a single-lane, controlled by lights.

Construction is due to start in mid-September and will continue until at least February 2026.

Overall changes include the loss of one lane at the southern end of Williams Avenue onto Damers Road and an alteration to the junction at the Bridport Road end to give more room for pedestrians and cyclists.

Williams Avenue usually has 4,500 vehicle movements a day, many of them to and from the hospital.

Life will also get more awkward during the works for users of the popular Case and Brewer fish and chip shop in Damers Road with a loss of three of the seven parking spots, although Dorset Council believes it is only likely to be a problem on Friday nights, conceding there may be an impact on adjoining Victoria Road, which is supposed to be access only.

The Damers Road works under the rail bridge are expected to last for around three weeks in the New Year.

Town councillors were told that the existing lights at all the junctions are now so old that parts for repairs can no longer be found and the junctions do not meet modern standards for active or accessible travel.

"Changes will help provide safer access to the hospital site for staff, visitors and patients wheeling, walking and cycling. Williams Avenue is the main vehicular access link to the hospital but has no dedicated provision for cycles," said a Dorset Council spokesperson.

Bridport Road

Both Williams Avenue junctions will be provided with easier crossings and wider footways, a shared footway/cycleway, and modern signals which should improve traffic flows.

Dorset Council says it is liaising with the hospital to ensure access if kept open to all services including the emergency department.

Once the works are completed there will be a new pedestrian crossing on Bridport Road with another new crossing at the Damers Road end of Williams Avenue.

The work is due to start at the Bridport Road junction in mid-September and, once completed, work will then begin on the Damers Road/Williams Avenue junction in January.

The construction work will also include resurfacing the road and footways.

Dammers Road

Dorset Council's principal traffic planner, Chris Peck, told Dorchester Town councillors that there would be delays while the works are carried out but said that the overall improvements would help pedestrians and cyclists, including those making their way to an from Damers School at Poundbury, Hardye's and the Middle School and would provide a better route for Poundbury residents into and from the town centre.

Mr Peck said it was hoped to arrange a 'drop in' event for local residents prior to the works starting to explain what was happening and answer questions.

"Our experience is that people will simply work around it. We know it will cause issues so we want to give early warning," he said.