FRESH proposals to ease congestion in Dorchester have been delayed for another three months.

The latest proposals for the town were due to be presented to a meeting of Dorset County Council's cabinet on October 12.

But that meeting has been cancelled, which means the report will now not be presented to the cabinet until January 18 - more than 16 months after the proposals were first mooted.

A spokesman for Dorset County Council said: "The October 12 cabinet meeting has been rescheduled for October 26.

"However, the Dorchester Transport and Environment Plan will now not be discussed until January 18 because further work is being carried out by the consultants."

Highways chiefs at Dorset County Council first unveiled proposals to ease congestion in the county town in September last year.

Initial plans proposed to pedestrianise part of High West Street and create a gyratory system around Maumbury Rings.

But following public consultation, which suggested that a possible solution would be to make High West and High East Streets one-way, consultants Scott Wilson were asked to look at the scheme again.

They had been due to present the new proposals to the county council in April but that was also delayed for further work on the plan.

Dorchester town and district councillor Coun Tim Harries, who has backed the pedestrianisation of the High West Street, said he was disappointed with the latest delay.

"It's good to see the wheels of local government turning with such efficiency and alacrity.

"I agree we should make sure we do it right and don't rush into things, but I don't think anybody can be accused of rushing.

"It's sad but not surprising."

He added that the consultants were not the ones that should be blamed but those who were putting 'spanners in the works.'

Possible options when Scott Wilson present their latest report in January include closing off the high streets to traffic during the day but allowing one-way traffic outside set hours.

County council transportation manager Tim Westwood said in August that the hybrid option was a strong contender for consideration.

The January 18 meeting is open to the public and takes place at County Hall in Dorchester starting at 10am.