The existing signals at A357 Newton Hill and Bridge Street, Sturminster Newton, are in need of replacing.
Sturminster Newton Bridge is a signalised shuttle with one-way traffic over the bridge. It’s a very busy junction with a high volume of traffic.
This site has very old, obsolete equipment which is rapidly becoming unmaintainable. As part of our ongoing traffic signal refurbishment programme, this site has been identified as a priority and is in urgent need of refurbishment.
The refurbishment will:
- look to use above ground detection equipment to eliminate/reduce the need for slot cutting and associated road closures
- improve the reliability of the junction
- reduce maintenance and enable monitoring of the site
- reduce the impact on the environment from congestion
Construction
Work is scheduled to start on Monday 10 November and finish by Friday 19 December, with three-way temporary traffic signals in use to keep workers, drivers and pedestrians safe.
Pedestrian access will be maintained throughout the work. This includes a temporary pedestrian crossing to ensure a controlled crossing point is still provided at this busy location. However, due to the temporary configuration of the lights, this may mean longer waiting times for pedestrians.
If possible, drivers should allow extra time for their journey through the junction, especially during peak times.
Surfacing works
Our Asset Management Team will be resurfacing Bridge Street and Newton Hill in December. These works have been brought forward to tag on to the end of our signal works in an effort to minimise disruption.
Night time surfacing work will be carried out on A357 Newton Hill and Bridge Street with the roads closed overnight from 8pm to 6am on Friday 12 December and Saturday 13 December.
These roads will then need to be closed for 24hrs on Sunday 14 December for the material to cure and will reopen 6am Monday 15 December (with three-way lights still in place).