A SCHEME to ease congestion and improve the environment in Dorchester has won backing from county chiefs.

The final proposal for the town, which could cost up to £4 million, was unveiled last week and aims to cut traffic queues.

Under the proposed Dorchester Transport and Environment Plan the high street would become one-way for traffic travelling from the east to west, but at certain times of the day a section between Church Street and Trinity Street would be closed to traffic altogether except for access.

The Top o' Town roundabout would disappear because traffic would no longer be allowed to travel down High West Street, and Albert Road would be closed and pedestrianised.

Final designs and costing of the scheme have still to be carried out. But members of Dorset County Council's cabinet yesterday gave their backing to the proposals, subject to further consultation with and endorsement by West Dorset District Council, Dorchester Town Council and nearby parish councils.

Miles Butler, director of planning and environment at Dorset County Council, told the meeting that the proposals were a compromise between past options - which had proposed to close a section of the high street to traffic completely and have a one-way road from the Top o' Town to the bottom.

Mr Butler said: "This option provides the best compromise in improving traffic flows throughout the town and improving the environment.

"We are fairly confident, though this has yet to be considered by West Dorset District Council, that we have made the best compromise.

"There's a lot more work to be done yet in designing and on the cost, and we will be coming back to cabinet."

David Jenkins, chief executive of the council, added that although an indication had been given that the scheme could cost £4 million with road changes and public realm improvements, no funding had been agreed either by the county council or West Dorset District Council.

"We are not assuming that commitment has been made," he said.

Coun Hilary Cox said she was looking at the plan as a champion of historic buildings.

She added: "There's no doubt that Dorchester suffers an unacceptable level of traffic. We have been watching with a great interest as to what will come out of this process and a great deal of money has already been spent, but this is a very comprehensive report and I think that the recommendation is a sensible way to progress."

Coun David Crowhurst said that parishes around the county town should be involved in any consultation.