IMPROVEMENTS works at two key Dorchester junctions will result in months of temporary traffic lights.

Both ends of Williams Avenue, near Dorset County Hospital, are to be made safer and more accessible for all users.

Work at the Bridport Road and Damers Road junctions will create wider footways and easier crossing points, upgraded traffic lights that are “more modern and responsive”, and shared footways and cycleways.

Temporary traffic lights will be in place during both phases of the works, which will be synchronised with the nearby signals and remotely monitored to keep traffic flowing “as smoothly as possible”, Dorset Council said.

Temporary lights will be in place at the Bridport Road/Williams Avenue junction from September to the end of December.

This will allow the creation of a new pedestrian crossing, upgraded traffic lights, the removal of the left turn lane, a single exit lane from Williams Avenue, a widened footway/cycleway on approach to Williams Avenue and a new crossing as well as a new climbing cycle lane and road resurfacing.

The second phase of works will see temporary traffic lights in place at the Damers Road/Williams Avenue junction from January 2026 to April.

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This will see similar improvement works take place, with upgraded signals and crossings, a new junction created east of the junction, a widened footway on the south side of Damers Road, a single-lane exit from Williams Avenue, a widened footway/cycleway, an uphill cycle lane, a new cycle route to local schools and Poundbury and road resurfacing.

Three 30-minute bays on Damers Road will be removed to widen the south-side footway, but four bays will remain.

The work comes after Dorset Council said both Bridport Road and Damers Road can be hazardous for walking and cycling, with no crossings of Bridport Road at the Williams Avenue junction.

They also said narrow footways on Bridport Road, a key walking route between Poundbury, the hospital and the town centre, make life difficult for walkers, and Williams Avenue, the main vehicular access link to the hospital, has no dedicated provision for bikes.

The traffic lights are also reportedly unreliable and there is limited cycle provision on Damers Road and Bridport Road.

Central government will fund the replacement of the traffic signals.

Councillor Jon Andrews, cabinet member for place services, said: “The traffic signals at both junctions are reaching the end of their serviceable life.

“Rather than simply replacing outdated and unreliable equipment, we’re taking this opportunity to redesign the junctions to meet modern standards for safety, accessibility and efficiency.

“This is a particularly busy part of town, serving Dorset County Hospital, key commuter routes and three nearby schools.

“The current road layout is no longer fit for purpose and urgently needs updating to better support the volume of traffic it sees every day.”

The council is encouraging those not attending the hospital to avoid using Williams Avenue during the works.

Local Dorset Council Dorchester West ward member, cllr Les Fry said: “There have been many improvement works in Dorchester over the past two years.

“While these have caused disruption, the changes are helping to make the town safer and more accessible, especially for those on foot or with mobility difficulties, with new crossings and widened footways.

“I thank residents and businesses for their continued patience and understanding as these important works continue.”

The designs have been shaped by extensive engagement with local stakeholders, including Dorset County Hospital, Dorchester Access Group, Dorchester Transport Action Group, Damers First School Eco Group and Dorchester Town Council. 

Find out more about the plans at dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/williams-avenue