THIRTEEN weeks' work to upgrade a busy town roundabout have started, to the dismay of motorists and business owners.

Dorset Highways began renovating the A35/East Road roundabout, Bridport, on Monday, to improve pedestrian facilities and modernise its lighting and kerbing.

The work is being funded by Highways England, which is responsible for the A35 trunk road.

Matthew Piles, service director for Environment, Infrastructure and Economy, said: “We’ve worked closely with Highways England on the design of the improvements, which will further contribute to the cycle facilities in Bridport.

“Developing the town’s cycle network will give residents more travel choice. By providing safe routes and crossings people will be able to leave their cars at home and avoid traffic jams – especially in the summer – for trips into town.

“Cycle holidays are a growing industry and, with the Jurassic Coast on our doorstep, we should continue to encourage visitors and residents to make car free journeys while exploring our fantastic county.”

Dorset Highways says traffic management will be minimal, but drivers should allow extra time for their journeys through the roundabout as approach lanes will be reduced down to one lane, slowing the progress of traffic through the roundabout.

Not everyone is happy about the work.

David Hawkins, of Bridport Tyre and Auto Repair Specialists, based on East Road, said: "I'm not overly-pleased about it. There's not a lot I can do about it but I am disappointed we were not told. The first I knew about it was when I read the Bridport News four days beforehand.

"We have has issues already with getting in and out of the business. It's very chaotic, especially at school times. I'm not very happy business-wise and I think this will cost us money. I think this could have been done at a better time - before Easter is not a good time at all."

During the first phase of work, from April 1-14, the approach lanes to the roundabout on the B3162 East Road and A35 East Road will be reduced to one lane.

The approaches to the roundabout on A3066 Sea Road North and A35 Sea Road South will be reduced to one lane from April 18-May 8.

To minimise disruption, night work will be taking place when more road space is needed.

B3162 East Road will be closed for two nights, from 7pm to 7am, on April 15 and 16 while ducting and kerbing work is carried out.

A3066 Sea Road North will be closed for three nights, from 7pm to 7am, on April 17, 18 and 23.

Further night time road closures will be needed on the A35 during May to install the toucan crossing and in June to carry out any surfacing.

Diversion routes will be signed during the night time road closures. No work will take place over the Easter and May Bank Holidays.

Work at the roundabout includes:

• Removing ‘crazy’ paving between Sea Road North and East Road and resurfacing with bitumen to widen the area for pedestrians/cyclists

• Installing new toucan crossing on A35 Sea Road South

• Refurbishing uncontrolled pedestrian crossing on Sea Road North, increasing the splitter island size, and installing new kerbs and tactile paving

• Refurbishing uncontrolled pedestrian crossing on A35 East Road, installing new kerbs and tactile paving

• Installing new lighting around roundabout, including moving lighting to back of the footway/cycleway and installing new ducting for power supply

• Replacing railings on A35 Sea Road South with higher, cycle-friendly railings

• Renewing signs and installing new cycleway signs

• Clearing roundabout vegetation and seeding with wildflowers

• Resurfacing roundabout, approaches and footways