A roadworks project which is causing traffic misery in Weymouth and has also sparked a safety campaign is set to drag on for another THREE MONTHS.

It's going to be midsummer before the gas project on the A354 Weymouth Way near Chafeys roundabout is finally complete.

Gas distribution company SGN will spend more than £600,000 to rectify a leak in a pipe next to Radipole Lake – a bird reserve and Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

Due to the location of the leak and sensitivity of the surrounding site however a straight-forward repair has been ruled out. Instead the firm will build a new pipe to bypass the leak.

A similar operation was carried out further up Weymouth Way in 2011.

While the investment will ensure a safe and reliable gas supply, it means further traffic misery. Temporary lights will be used for part of the work.

The leak was discovered in January and it meant the pedestrian crossing on Weymouth Way was taken out of action for safety reasons while investigations commenced.

That prompted Southill resident Pete Barrow to launch a campaign amid fears for pedestrians and cyclists who had nowhere to cross the busy carriageway safely.

Mr Barrow said the pedestrian crossing was put in for good reason and had led to an increase in people walking and cycling to and from Weymouth town centre with benefits for the environment and people's health.

This pressure led to Dorset County Council introducing temporary traffic arrangements including lowering the speed limit and reducing the road access to the roundabout to one lane, giving pedestrians a chance to cross between waiting vehicles.

But this has led to tailbacks which on occasions have stretched up Weymouth Way towards the Manor roundabout near Morrisons.

One irate driver said: "The queues have been horrendous at times and the frustrating thing is I never seem to see anyone working.

"Because the lanes have been reduced to see cars all over the place at the roundabout, it's quite unnerving.

"The sooner it's over the better as it is very disruptive."

In response, a spokesman for Dorset County Council said its highways team had reviewed 'real time journey information' and found that at peak times, journeys had increased by an average of three minutes along Weymouth Way, between Manor Roundabout and Chafeys Roundabout.

But Mr Barrow urged the council to think again and explore a way to put in a temporary crossing.

He said: "If this work is going to go on for months it's going to drive people nuts so I think another solution should be found. A crossing would only slow traffic when people need to cross."

SGN is currently undertaking preparation work and is expected to commence on a 12-week project at the beginning of April.

Waseem Hanif, spokesman for SGN, said: "We have agreed with the local authority to invest £660,000 to upgrade our gas network in Weymouth Way, near Chafeys roundabout, by replacing our old, metal gas main with new plastic pipe to ensure a continued safe and reliable gas supply.

"Since we've been carrying out our investigations, the crossing in Weymouth Way, north of the roundabout, has been closed for everyone's safety. We've also implemented additional safety measures for pedestrians crossing at the roundabout by reducing the carriageway down to one-way for motorists entering and exiting the roundabout. This improves visibility for pedestrians and also shortens the crossing distance.

"With the site being of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), we met earlier this week in Weymouth Way with Natural England to discuss our plans to replace the gas main while ensuring the local nature and landscape is protected.

"In agreement with the local authority and Natural England, we intend to use the latest technology to directionally drill underground, avoiding large trenching being dug on the surface which would have caused further disruption to motorists and local wildlife. Preparatory work for the drilling will begin next week.

"We hope to begin the drilling procedure at the beginning of April. At times this work will need to be carried out under temporary two-way traffic lights. All going well, hope to complete our project within approximately 12 weeks."

Bridge works disruption

Drivers have also faced disruption this week due to part of Dorchester Road at Radipole being closed so urgent works can be carried out on the railway bridge. The closure came into effect on Thursday and works are due to finish on Monday.

The road is closed between Mercery Road and Roman Close and a diversion is in place.

The same section of road will close again between March 21-25 for further work on the bridge.

A spokesman for Network Rail said: “Safety is our top priority and we regularly carry out visual and detailed inspections of our infrastructure to make sure it is in good condition.

“Severe defects were found in the steelwork of the bridge on Dorchester Road during a detailed inspection which required urgent work.

“We’d like to apologise for any inconvenience this has caused.”