Construction of a road designed to ease congestion on a Dorchester street has been put on hold before work even began.

Original plans submitted by the Duchy of Cornwall to Dorset County Council outlined the construction of 70 new homes on St Georges Road with a new access road on Lubbecke Way to help ease traffic.

The new homes have now been completed but residents in the area are growing impatient waiting for work to begin on the road after part of the development company which built the homes went into administration.

Fiona Neale and her partner Patrick have lived on St Georges Road since 1990.

Fiona said: "Ever since we have lived here we have been expecting that the Duchy would want to build around us.

"When we were told they were going to build 70 new houses, we didn't object because along with the houses there was going to be the construction of a new road to help ease congestion. 

"The Duchy said there were going to have the main traffic flow for the tip coming through Lubbecke Way, so as residents of St Georges Road we didn't object to the building work on the basis that we were going to have less traffic.

"We contacted the Duchy to ask about the road and we were told it was going to be done by April.

"Our local councillor then contacted me and said the new road was going to be completed by July/August. He contacted the Duchy again last month and was told they are not going to do be doing it for the foreseeable future.

"It's ridiculous. 

"There are so many cars parked on both sides on the road, I'm shocked that damage has not been done when the massive tip lorries come down the road, or worse."

Dorchester town councillor, Tony Lyall, represents the east ward has been in talks with both the county council and the Duchy in efforts to make progress with the road development.

He said: "I am getting asked by numerous people on a daily basis about what is happening with the new road. Residents are now doubting that it will ever be completed.

"We need to know what is happening - no one has told us anything, we have had to go to them.

"St Georges Road is a very busy street and, of a weekend especially, it is chaos with all the tip lorries driving down here - and it's dangerous.

"This new road was meant to ease congestion and improve this area for its residents, and now it's a disaster."

Dorset Echo:

Cllr Tony Lyall

Speaking on behalf of the Duchy, Amanda Foster, said: "As soon as we became aware that the company had gone into administration we began engaging with the key parties, notably Dorset County County, to determine the most appropriate solution to for the remaining roadworks to be delivered. Discussions are ongoing."

A Dorset County Council spokesperson added: “The residential development at Red Cow Farm was being constructed by Mildren Homes.

"The planning permission for the development includes conditions for the extension of Lubbecke Way to meet St Georges Road and other associated highway improvements.

"The detailed designs for these schemes were approved by the county council in late 2015 and contracts for the work had been negotiated, agreed and issued for signing by the various parties. Unfortunately, before the agreements had been completed, Mildren Homes entered administration.

"We are working with the Duchy of Cornwall, who were the previous landowner, and a number of other parties to find a way to complete the outstanding works as quickly as possible.

“However, we currently have no completion date for the works.”

The Dorset Echo has contacted the administrators for a comment.