RESIDENTS have voiced concerns that a pedestrian will be seriously injured at Chafey’s Roundabout following a spate of accidents on Weymouth Way.

The A354, which is currently closed as Southern Gas Networks repair a leak on a gas main, has a speed limit of 50mph, but residents have spoken out to say cars are travelling too fast at a point where people cross on foot.

Alex Moran, of Hornbeam Close, Southill, is calling for a crossing to be installed after a recent three-car crash between the Manor Roundabout and the Spa Road Bridge.

He said: “Although I am no traffic expert I can see that cars coming up to the roundabout are travelling way too fast for a point that pedestrians use to cross.

“Dorset County Council has said that the speed of traffic does not warrant a change to the speed limit, but having walked my dog along here most days, I would strongly disagree. Either that, or a crossing needs to be installed as a matter of urgency.

“I personally believe it is just a matter of time before we have another accident or a pedestrian is injured or killed.”

County councillor David Harris said: “Crossing a road where traffic is coming together from five streams and is driving at 50mph is extremely dangerous.

“If you are encumbered with a pram, or shopping, or are in a mobility scooter, crossing becomes even more risky.

“However, I am pleased to say that the council has agreed to undertake a costing exercise to install a crossing about 50 metres down the road from Chafey’s Roundabout.

“Once we know the cost of doing so we can try our best to find it within the budget.”

A spokesman for Dorset County Council said: “The committee has recommended that the lowering of the speed limit not be pursued but that the county council should investigate providing controlled crossings of Weymouth Way when future funding is identified.”

Mr Moran said that he is concerned that if a crossing is not installed in time, danger will be increased during the Olympics 2012.

He said: “More people will decide to walk in to town, avoiding long queues of traffic.

“But visitors who do not know the Weymouth Way will exceed the speed limit as they see it as a main highway. It’s imperative something is done before then as we’re talking about endangering people’s lives here.”