MOTORISTS in Dorch-ester face a roads revamp when new one-way systems are tested during town centre gas main works.

The eastbound side of High East Street will be closed for three months when Transco replaces pipes early next year.

Staff at Dorset County Council hope to use the opportunity to test new one-way systems and routes as part of a traffic plan.

Tim Westwood, county transportation manager, said: "We are in discussions with Transco to put in various one-way systems in place while they do the work.

"We want to see if predictions about traffic flows and junctions occur in reality. This will involve one-way systems and other measures and it will be interesting to see what the effects are."

He added: "It will not be the ultimate solution for Dorchester and we don't want to do anything to worsen traffic in the town."

The pilot scheme is due after a county council leaflet is published in September with figures and answers to frequently-asked questions about traffic in Dorchester.

The statistics are being released after councillors and traders repeatedly called for the results of a survey of traffic in Dorchester and for tests of potential new roads systems on computers.

Town councillor Alan Beard warned that some families have headed to Yeovil instead of Dorchester because of parking problems and delays.

He said: "People are tending to go there because they can't find anywhere to park in Dorchester. "The road congestion doesn't help as people find it difficult to get through the town."

Coun Beard added that there should have been more consultation with councils and town groups when the traffic survey and plan was launched.

Coun Tim Harries has urged the county council to extend the yellow box junction at the end of Trinity Street to cover the whole of its junction with High West Street.

He said it would stop cars parking across the junction and causing blockages in the two roads.

Shopkeeper Paul Barwick backed his call and claimed that the traffic problems could be solved by switching off the traffic lights in the high street and banning cars from turning right.