Work to make busy Weymouth junction safer for pedestrians and cyclists starts in September

Dorset Council will begin work in September to improve safety and accessibility at the junction of Abbotsbury Road and Chickerell Road in Weymouth.

The scheme will make it easier and safer to cross the road, particularly for pupils travelling to nearby schools and residents moving between Curtis Fields and surrounding areas. The improvements are designed to slow traffic, improve accessibility and create a more pleasant environment for everyone using the junction.

Work is due to start on 7 September and is expected to take around 12 weeks to complete.

The project includes:

• a new signalled puffin crossing on Chickerell Road, giving people a safer place to cross.
• a new zebra crossing and cycle crossing on Abbotsbury Road so pedestrians and cyclists can cross more safely.
• new dropped kerbs on Chickerell Road, providing new uncontrolled crossings to make it easier for people using wheelchairs, mobility scooters, pushchairs and bikes.
• a safer pedestrian crossing point at the entrance to Compass School.
• changes to the road layout to help slow traffic and improve safety at the junction.
• a tighter corner to slow vehicle speeds, complemented by a new grassed area and seating

The work is being funded through contributions from the Curtis Fields development and will help improve connections between homes, schools and local facilities.

More than 10,000 vehicles use Chickerell Road each day, while around 8,000 use Abbotsbury Road. Surveys have also shown high numbers of people crossing at the junction, highlighting the need for safer crossing points. Data collected at the site recorded 431 pedestrians and 98 cyclists crossing each day near the proposed parallel crossing, with a further 307 people crossing daily where the new puffin crossing will be installed.

The scheme also responds to a history of collisions at the junction. Within a five-year period up to January 2020, there was one serious injury collision and four collisions resulting in slight injuries within 25 metres of the junction.

Cllr Jon Andrews, Dorset Council's Cabinet Member for Place Services, said:

"Thousands of vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists use this junction every day, and we know it can be difficult to cross safely, especially at busy times.

"These improvements will make a real difference for local people, creating safer routes to schools, homes and services while helping to slow traffic through the junction.

"We appreciate the work will cause some disruption while it is being carried out, but the long-term benefits will be significant. We're asking people to plan ahead and thank residents, businesses and road users for their patience."

During construction, temporary traffic lights will be in place on all four approaches to the junction. The work has been scheduled outside the peak summer holiday period to help reduce overall traffic impacts.

Further information about the project and traffic management arrangements is available on the Dorset Council website: https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/w/abbotsbury-road-chickerell-road-junction-weymouth-improvements