Temporary traffic lights could be in place for six weeks as improvement works to a north Dorset junction are completed this summer.

Work will start on improving pedestrian and cycle safety at the Newbury junction with the B3081 Shaftesbury Road in Gillingham on Monday, August 3.

The junction will remain as a mini-roundabout, while a new toucan crossing will be installed on Le Neubourg Way and pavements in the area will be widened to provide a shared-use footway/cycleway around the busy junction.

It will take around six weeks to complete the work, with four-way temporary traffic signals in use. The team on site will monitor traffic flow and remove the temporary lights when it is safe to do so, otherwise they will be in place 24-hours-a-day.

Cllr Ray Bryan, portfolio holder for highways, travel and environment, said: “Improving the cycle links around Gillingham will give residents a choice in how they undertake shorter journeys. Even switching to one sustainable transport journey a week can help alleviate congestion, with cycling also benefitting health, wellbeing and the environment.

“With new housing developments planned in the town, it’s important to get the infrastructure ready for growth – both for vehicles and for sustainable travel.

“We will be doing our best to keep traffic flowing during the work, but we are working in a very busy area. If you can, please allow some extra time for your journey.”