THE FIRST phase of an extensive road improvement scheme for Dorchester town centre is on schedule and due to be completed later this week.

Last month Dorset County Council announced the start of a £150,000 roadworks project for the county town that will see seven roads improved over the next four years in a bid to enhance pedestrian safety and help traffic flow more easily.

The first tranche of work began on October 5 and included night closures as resurfacing work in High West Street and High East Street was carried out.

The efforts were captured by local resident Anna Room-Nangle.

The council has confirmed the work is on track to finish on Saturday morning and improvements that are being made to pedestrian crossings at the Top O'Town roundabout are also due to be completed by the end of the week.

Cllr Peter Finney, Dorset County Council's cabinet member for environment, said: "The resurfacing of High West Street and High East Street has run to programme and finished in the early hours of Saturday morning.

"We have been working with several utility companies to encourage them to come and work under our closure in advance of the new surface being laid.

"Several long-standing maintenance issues have been resolved while the road has been closed.

"Improvements to the pedestrian crossings at the Top O' Town roundabout are also running to time with completion by this Friday.

"To minimise the disruption to traffic some of this work will take place at night on Wednesday and Thursday. The road will remain open through this period."

Cllr Finney has thanked local residents for their patience while the works were carried out.

He said: "I'd like to thank the residents for their patience during this time.

"Work like this is disruptive and with their help we've been able to keep to time."

The works were brought forward by the county council after the wider ranging DTEP (Dorchester Transport and Environment) scheme collapsed.

When the improvements were announced they were welcomed by local councillors.

County councillor Richard Biggs said: "Following extensive consultation the DTEP scheme has been scaled back and the teams are implementing a number of enhancements that will improve access for all and support the economic prosperity of the town."

Town and district councillor David Taylor said: "The upgrades to the roads are needed to bring Dorchester up to the present day."

For more information about the Dorchester improvements visit dorsetforyou.com/dorchester-transport-plan