A new traffic scheme for parts of Dorchester town centre will be unveiled in the coming weeks.

Behind-the-scenes briefings have already been held and talks with local councillors are being arranged.

The plan will include new pedestrian crossings at Maumbury Cross although a new roundabout system for the busy junction will finally be ruled out. The idea was first suggested as part of an overall re-design for town centre roads but was put on hold after public objections to the original proposals.

Cllr Richard Biggs told town councillors at their meeting on Tuesday evening (22) that he welcomed any safety improvements to the busy junction.

“I understand that the county council is proposing pedestrian crossings on one side of the road for people from the Victoria Park area. Much better than people having to dash across the road as they do now,” he said.

Other work being suggested includes traffic calming in Victoria Road to deter motorists using it as a cut-through to avoid the ‘no left turn’ into Cornwall Road which has been imposed on traffic approaching the Great Western Cross junction from Damers Road. The move was allowed under the previous layout.

Also in the pipeline are proposals for a new layout for the nearby junction between Damers Road and Williams Avenue although this may be put delayed as discussions are currently underway about re-configuring parts of the County Hospital site to take more parking.

A long-awaited wheelchair and pedestrian ramp to the West Station, off Williams Avenue, is also being considered with talks expected to take place between Network Rail and the county council before the end of June.

A separate scheme, largely funded by Dorchester Town Council, will also see further improvements at either end of South Street. The work is scheduled to start at the northern end of the main shopping street, near the Town Pump, before moving to the South Gate at the other end. The proposals will include planters and seating and improved signage.

At the southern end, opposite the War Memorial, a sculpture has been commissioned, to be set on a low plinth, for the small triangular area which is currently grassed. This will be unveiled in the autumn to mark the centenary of the ending of the First World War.