IMPROVEMENT work on Dorchester Road is due to restart in mid-October after a break over the summer.

Phase two of the improvements scheme will begin on Monday, October 15, starting at Elwell Street, in Upwey and working south towards Manor Roundabout The first section of work, carried out by Dorset County Council’s highways service, will be between Elwell Street and Prospect Place and is estimated to take around seven weeks.

A 200 metre stretch of pavement will be widened on the west side of Dorchester Road to improve pedestrian facilities and slightly narrow the road width, which will help reduce traffic speeds through the area.

Another section of footpath, around 40 metres long, on the east side of Dorchester Road will also be built to link existing paths together and provide a safer route for walkers.

There will be temporary traffic management in the area, with two-way signals in use during some of the work.

Emma Baker, highways project manager at Dorset County Council, said: “This footpath widening, and the remaining phases of this scheme, will help reduce traffic speeds and ensure that Dorchester Road is returned to a residential scene now that the relief road is open.

“The scope of the work has been shaped by what local residents said were their priorities for the area.”

For more information about the scheme, visit dorsetforyou.com/wey mouthreliefroad