Dorchester pedestrian crossings to be improved
The new High West Street signals have been installed but, unfortunately, temporary signals will remain in place at High East Street until the New Year.
Our High East Street signal contractors have been called away to address urgent works elsewhere in Dorset which means they cannot complete installation of our signals at this time. Our temporary signals work in the same way as permanent signals, so there should be minimum negative impact on traffic movement.
This delay is frustrating, but we are assured the work will be completed as soon as possible in the new year.
This autumn, we will be upgrading two pedestrian crossings in Dorchester town centre.
The crossings at High West Street and High East Street are reaching the end of their maintainable life, so updated equipment will make them safer and easier to use by all.
Modern technology will improve traffic management, and the operating systems will reduce the need for extensive digging during future maintenance.
The work will take place in phases, as follows
- High West Street, pedestrian crossing near the Dorset Museum from 28 October for 2 weeks. During the work, signs will direct pedestrians to an alternative crossing nearby.
- High East Street pedestrian crossing, near the High Street, Fordington turning, from 11 November. We aim to complete this section by 13 December, weather permitting. During the work, temporary signals will replace the existing crossing, so traffic flow is maintained and disruption kept to a minimum for drivers and pedestrians.
Cllr Jon Andrews, Dorset Council’s Cabinet Member for Place Services, said:
“We are upgrading these crossings as part of our ongoing traffic signal refurbishment programme. The equipment at these locations was installed nearly 20 years ago and modern signalling has moved on a lot in that time.
“Using the latest technology and installation methods, the new crossings will improve the experience for pedestrians and the smart technology will adapt to current traffic conditions to keep traffic flowing.
“As the work takes place, we’ll keep disruption to a minimum but, as always, we thank you in advance for your patience.”
The work will be funded by central government.
Categories: Highways
Comments
5 Comments
Please make sure that the improvement have the green safe to cross signal showing from the other side of the road to which everyone looks whilst waiting to cross. It is stupid and annoying to have the green safe to walk signal down by one's hand where I have to take my eyes off the road and traffic,
This has been the hardest system that I have ever encountered in which to set up an account. One of the problems was the 14 character password, it's not memorable and already forgotten.
Hi Andrew, thank you for your comments. I have passed these on to the project team. If you would like to get in touch with them directly, please email them at highwayimprovements@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk I have also passed on your comment about setting up an account to our customer services team. Best regards, Claire
I am concerned that time and money is being spent on this project, where the crossings work and are basically safe, when the Maunbury Road crossing on Weymouth Avenue is without pedestrian lights on a very dangerous junction on a major entry point to Dorchester. We have been attempting to draw councillors attention to the dangers here where pedestrians are exposed to, and hidden from, traffic from the south turning left into Maumbury Road for about 20 years without effect.
Hi Douglas, work will start in January 2025 to significantly improve the pedestrian environment at Maumbury. There are details here: www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/maumbury-crossroads-improvements More information to be published on this newsroom and in the press in the coming weeks. Best regards, Claire
https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/w/maumbury-crossroads-improvements