Maumbury Crossroads junction improvements

Work is underway to redesign the signalised junction on Weymouth Avenue in Dorchester near Maumbury Rings.

The new junction will include more signal-controlled pedestrian crossing points, wider footways and new signal equipment. This will all provide a safer and more pleasant experience for pedestrians.

The existing layout consists of narrow footways with little space to pass or wait to cross, and there is currently only one controlled crossing point.

Maumbury Cross is a busy four-way junction used by many people including students, parents and carers with children, residents of a nearby care home, and bus users, as well as visitors to the hospital, market, leisure centre and skate park.

Coupled with approximately 15,000 vehicles passing through daily, it can be a daunting pedestrian experience for many people, especially those with limited mobility or vision impairments.

New layout in 2025

The new junction layout will upgrade the existing signal equipment while also:

• installing controlled pedestrian crossing points on Maumbury Road eastern arm, Maumbury Road western arm and on Weymouth Avenue northern arm
• widening and levelling footways, wherever possible, to improve the pedestrian environment
• installing a section of cycleway and advanced stop line on the uphill section of Maumbury Road to help cyclists through the junction
• relocating the one existing controlled crossing to provide a better footway environment and more waiting space for people crossing the road
• installing a new southbound bus shelter, with footway resurfacing and tree root protection

Take a look at the new junction layout.

Relocating the existing crossing 

As part of the new design, the crossing point on the railway bridge is being relocated and replaced. A new Puffin crossing will be installed nearer to Queens Avenue.

This will provide more footway space for people waiting to cross the road and is closer to the main ‘desire line’, where students are walking to and from school.

To facilitate the new crossing location, the northbound bus stop will be moved to the south side of the Queens Avenue junction with Weymouth Avenue.

Construction 

Construction work is scheduled to start in January 2025 and will last until May 2025.