A CYCLIST who was forced to have months off work after his bike hit a rock on a cycle path has welcomed plans to up-grade the route.

Improvement work on the cycleway on Ridgeway Hill will start on Monday for two weeks.

Dorset County Council admitted the surface is ‘deteriorating’ and will replace the existing chalk strip with a paved surface.

Robert Lee, of Chickerell, said he is pleased something is being done about the route after he dislocated his shoulder when his bike hit a ‘tennis ball-sized’ rock in April.

The cyclist was forced to take four months off work because of the accident and was left with ongoing back problems and a burn mark where his arm came into contact with a wire fence.

He said: “I’m pleased something will be done, the surface of the path at the moment is in such a bad condition with rocks, leaves and branches all over it.

“I used to ride my bike to work on the road before the cycle path was built and I felt safer doing that.

“When they upgrade it they need to maintain the route for the safety of cyclists.

The stretch of route, near where Weymouth Relief Road crosses the old Dorchester Road, is used by cyclists between Wey-mouth and Dorchester.

Mr Lee, a senior prison officer at Dorchester Prison, was cycling home on the route when the accident happened.

A spokesman for Dorset County Council said: “From Monday, October 29, for two weeks, the county council will be working on the stretch of cycleway between the Bincombe Junction and the Ridgeway Bridge to replace the existing chalk strip with a paved surface.

“The verge drainage will also be improved.

“Dorset Highways has monitored the route as part of the Weymouth Relief Road post-project assessment and taken on board comments by cyclists.”

Cyclists will still be able to use the route with care, but there may be some disruption Monday to Friday between 8am and 4pm.