Dorchester: Fairfield Road work to get under way in January

Improvements to Fairfield Road, Dorchester, will get under way on Monday, January 8.

They are being made after several injury accidents in the mixed car and pedestrian location in recent years, two of them serious.

The changes to the road, which is part of Fairfield car park, will 'improve safety and accessibility', Dorset Council says.

They have been welcomed by Dorchester Town Council, Dorchester Transport Action Group and the town’s Civic Society - which said the speed of cars entering the busy road from the traffic lights to the north is 'unacceptable'. 

Fairfield Road runs between Weymouth Avenue and Maumbury Road and divides Dorchester Market.

It is heavily used by pedestrians accessing Brewery Square and the town centre but has no pavements. Parked cars block visibility and two-way traffic passes through.

The road also forms part of the signed pedestrian route between Dorchester West and Dorchester South railway stations.

Work will be completed in three phases and is expected to be finished by Friday, February 16.

A wide footway will be built along the length of the road and will provide safer crossing points at junctions.

A new access will be installed directly into the car park from the railway station from Copper Street.

There will also be better street lighting on Fairfield Road and a pedestrianised space at the busy eastern end by restricting vehicle access.

READ MORE: Fairfield Road improvements between markets in Dorchester 

Fairfield Road, Dorchester (Image: NQ)

Signs will be erected in advance of the works to notify drivers.

All businesses and the Dorchester markets will be open as usual, but people may need to access these using a different route that will be marked.

Phase one of the work from January 8 to January 19 will be at the Maumbury Road end of Fairfield Road.

Maumbury Road will be closed southbound from Great Western Cross to, and including, Fairfield Road access – a diversion route will be signed for drivers to use Great Western Road.

Phase two of the work, taking place from January 22 to February 2, will be at the Weymouth Avenue end of Fairfield Road.

Temporary three-way traffic signals will be in place on Weymouth Avenue (and Copper Street).

The third phase, from Monday, February 5, will create a final footway, and will see surfacing and finishing works.

Councillor Ray Bryan, Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel and Environment, said: “The current arrangement is difficult for less mobile people and those using buggies or mobility scooters, as well as train users with heavy luggage.

“This will create a safer and more pleasant route for people who use this busy part of the town.”