WORKS lasting more than three months are set to begin to improve a busy junction to take advantage of ongoing traffic measures which have remained in place on the road since February.

As part of Dorset Council’s ongoing programme of traffic signal upgrades, the busy Marston Road junction on the A30 at Kitt Hill in Sherborne is being improved.

Work has already been ongoing for months nearby on Kitt Hill, near the Cornhill junction, since a crash damaged a wall of a private property there on February 10.

Dorset Council said it was unable to comment on how long the traffic management measures at the Cornhill junction will stay in place.

The council have said that the new junction improvements at the Marston Road junction on Kitt Hill have been brought forward to make use of the temporary traffic control measures already in the area. Work is expected to start on July 25 and last for around 16 weeks.

Traffic signal equipment at the junction of Kitt Hill, Newell and Marston Road will be renewed – with poles and signal heads replaced – a new right-turn lane will be provided for westbound traffic on the A30 turning into Marston Road and the overall signal-controlled area is being reduced in size.

These alterations are being made in a bid to improve the efficiency of the junction and fewer delays for drivers.

To provide space for the additional right-turn lane, the pavement next to the A30 between Back Lane and Cornhill is being moved to the back of the verge and upgraded to a shared walkway/cycleway to improve off-road cycle links around the junction.

Existing pedestrian crossings at the junction will be upgraded to the latest Toucan equipment to further improve cycle facilities in the area.

Cllr Ray Bryan, Portfolio Holder for highways, Travel and Environment said: “It makes sense for us to bring forward the renewal of this signal equipment to coincide with temporary traffic control already in the area and save drivers from further disruption at a later date.

“I’m also pleased that we’ve been able to upgrade the cycle facilities to support sustainable travel and make cycling an easier choice for short journeys around the town – a key action identified in the council’s Climate and Ecological Emergency Strategy.”