Calls for roundabout at Miles Cross before work at Vearse Farm

As reported, a new roundabout is to be constructed at the A35 Miles Cross junction as part of highway improvements associated with the 760-home Vearse Farm (Foundry Lea) development on the edge of town.

Locals assumed this roundabout would be built before the new homes to make it easier and safer for construction traffic to access the site.

However, an agreement between the developers and Dorset Council means work can begin on the first phase of homes before the Miles Cross roundabout is completed - with construction traffic using the B3162 West Road and the A35. The Miles Cross highway work would need to be done however before the first homes are occupied.

Concerns resurfaced following a town hall event where locals were invited by the developers to view the plans for the housing scheme and ask questions.

The issue has caused alarm in the town with local campaign group ADVEARSE fearing there could be a serious accident at the junction which has previously been described as an accident blackspot. There would certainly be major delays at the junction, the group suggests.

The group says while it welcomes the decision to improve the junction it suggests there is a possibility that 50 or 60 heavily laden HGVs per day will be negotiating the junction before the roundabout is completed. It says construction vehicles also coming on site could mean 200-300 journeys every day.

The group has written to authorities outlining its concerns and a spokesman said: "If some of these vehicles are attempting the manoeuvre coming from the east and turning right the risks of a serious accident will be very high. Those who use the junction regularly know that drivers are often confused about which direction has right of way . The dangers apply equally to busy holiday times as to the quiet times when vehicles speed down from Chideock."

The spokesman added: "We know that most local people are not aware about what is planned. Our primary request is that the roundabout be finished before the construction work starts. If that request goes unheeded we request that westbound construction traffic should not be allowed to turn right off the A35 into West Road. We urge local residents to contact the council and National Highways to express their concerns."

Mayor of Bridport, Cllr Ian Bark said “We share people’s concerns about possible disruption, and about the need for safe access and egress, during the construction of the Miles Cross roundabout and the first phase of housing at Foundry Lea. Dorset Council as planning authority took the decision to allow these to be concurrent, and have also told us this cannot change.

"We now need to work with the developers to minimise the traffic impact and keep people safe – in vehicles, on foot or cycling. We are grateful to the developers for their engagement with a stakeholder working group we have set up; this provides a forum for us to relay our concerns and input to the traffic management plans, and we are doing just that. A development of this size simply can’t be built without significant inconvenience, but the town council and partners will do all we can to keep this to a minimum.”

A spokesman on behalf of the developers said: "Ensuring the safety of all road users during Foundry Lea's construction period is paramount for us. We are working with road transport officers at Dorset Council to consider the most effective plan for construction traffic to enter the site safely while minimising disruption to residents where possible. We will submit a Construction Management Plan, including measures to manage road safety, to the council. This plan will require approval by the council before construction begins."

Dorset Council said: “The developers can start work on the new homes once they have reserved matters permission, but, as stipulated in the Section 106 agreement, the homes cannot be occupied until construction of the roundabout has been completed.”