WORK was expected to restart today on £500,000 worth of improvements to Weymouth’s Dorchester Road.

Dorset County Council’s highways service is launching phase two of the improvement scheme in Upwey following a break during the summer.

The first section of work, which will take place between Elwell Street and Prospect Place, will last for about seven weeks and temporary traffic lights will be in use.

Around 200 metres of pavement is being widened on the west side to improve pedestrian facilities and slightly narrow the road width, aiming to reduce traffic speeds through the area.

A new small section of footpath on the east side around 40 metres long will also be built linking two existing paths to provide a safer route for walkers.

The work is part of a project to return Dorchester Road to a ‘residential scene’ now heavy traffic has been diverted onto the relief road.

Other improvements for the road include removing a pedestrian crossing, building a cycle lane and installing a mini roundabout at Littlemoor Road junction.

Highways project manager Emma Baker said: “The scope of the work has been shaped by what local residents said were their priorities for Dorchester Road.”

For more information, visit dorsetforyou.com/weymouthreliefroad