MOTORISTS can expect more road misery when major works get underway on the Dorchester bypass.

The Highways Agency has announced it will be overhauling roundabouts by the Football Club and Kingston Maurward on the A35 starting in September and lasting until the spring.

The Dorchester works will coincide with ongoing works in Weymouth which have already caused major delays and disruption for motorists.

The Dorchester works will include widening the carriageways and replacing and improving road lights, signs and drains at both roundabouts.

Workers will also begin improving pedestrian crossings at the Kingston Maurward roundabout and build a new footpath and cycleway at the football club roundabout to improve links between Dorchester and Weymouth.

Business leaders in Dorchester have described the proposed works as ‘something of a curse’ but one that has to be endured.

Denise Addison, the head of the town’s chamber of commerce, said: “We didn’t know exactly when these works were going to happen but if they’ve got to be done, they’ve got to be done.

“At least they won’t happen at the height of the tourist season.”

Gillian John, the co-owner of the bed and breakfast Birkin House, said: “This is always something of a curse, but it has to be done.

“People are often late to weddings here because of the traffic so if it helps sort that out, it will be good.”

Sam Mackenzie-Green, the secretary of Dorset County Show, added: “Hopefully the works won’t start the weekend of the show.

“But if this will encourage more people to begin walking into town then that is something we would encourage because it will help with congestion and parking.”

Clare Davison, the principal of Kingston Maurward College, said: “The safety of our students and staff is of paramount importance.

“We have serious concerns about how these proposals will impact upon their journey into college, as well as the local movement of farm machinery and other vehicles.

“We have written to the Highways Agency to make them aware of our concerns and also about our disappointment over the lack of consultation with the college – one of the largest stakeholders in the local area.

“At this point we have not received an official invitation to meet and discuss the proposals, but we will attend the public exhibition on July 15.”

A Highways Agency spokesman said no road closures are anticipated during the works and construction traffic will be prohibited from driving through Dorchester.

A 40-mph speed limit will be in place at both work sites to ensure public and worker safety.

Two lanes on each roundabout approach will be kept open between 6am and 8pm every day but some work outside of these hours will require traffic lights and reduced road widths.

The spokesman added that both roundabouts ‘experience high traffic volumes during peak periods and queuing, particularly during the summer months’.

The Highways Agency claims the work is ‘aimed at reducing congestion and delays while improving safety for motorists, pedestrians and cyclists’.

A leaflet outlining details of the scheme is available at highways .gov.uk/roads/projects/28213.aspx Leaflets on the works will also be available from Monday at West Dorset District Council, Dorset County Council and Dorchester Town Council.