Unkept roundabouts 'need to be addressed' say residents and mayor

Residents have complained that two roundabouts at key locations have become 'overgrown' and 'scruffy' and 'a bad advertisement for the town'.

The roundabouts in question are the East Road (Mitsubishi) roundabout and the Crown roundabout, both on the A35.

Highways England which looks after the A35 is responsible for the maintenance of the two roundabouts - although the agency said Dorset Council has been doing work at the East Road roundabout.

Mayor of Bridport Cllr Ian Bark: "The roundabout that welcomes people to the town as they enter from Dorchester or Beaminster is not only an eyesore but is also turning into a litter tip."

Bridport mayor, Cllr Ian Bark, says the A35 East Road (Mitsubishi) roundabout is 'turning into a dump' Picture: Bradley White

He said when work was done on the roundabout last year vegetation was taken out and a wild flower meadow was planted.

He added: "Now the roundabout is very quickly becoming a bramble bush and the thorns from the brambles pick up litter, crisp packets, bottles, plastic bags and more. It is turning into a dump.

"It doesn’t reflect the first impression you want to have of the town and for that reason it needs to be addressed."

Cllr Bark urged residents with concerns to contact Highways England directly.

He added: "The (town) council has submitted designs to Highways England that would be low maintenance and improve the look of the roundabout and they were rejected."

The News has received a few letters about the issue.

The Crown roundabout has also come into criticism Picture: Bradley White

Mandy Selhurst, said: "It could be such a welcome. But it isn’t. Both roundabouts are a neglected disappointment long term.

"Planting of low level shrubs, colourful flowers, maybe some boulders to give a rockery effect would make such a difference to the first impressions of our lovely town to all of us ‘locals’ and to visitors."

Another resident, John Watt, said: "The two remain in such a sorry state. They are overgrown and scruffy with lack of colour - what an advertisement for the town.

"A little TLC is badly needed."

A spokesman for Highways England said: "We undertake regular inspections so we can prioritise the areas most in need of maintenance and we have recently cut grass and cleared litter on the Crown roundabout.

"The East Road roundabout was recently cleared by Dorset Council as part of the Sea Road cycling improvement works and was seeded with wildflowers. Dorset Council is maintaining the roundabout as part of the works."