Asda traffic lights are phased after public complaints

Dorset County Council is making changes at the controversial Asda traffic lights after motorists complained they were a deathtrap and an accident waiting to happen.

The council has announced that further alterations are being made to Harbour Crossroads following the continual monitoring of the new junction.

On Wednesday 6 April, traffic management will be in place at the junction during off-peak times while additional detection equipment is installed and connected.

The work will change the phasing of the lights on the Boot Hill approach. The right turn into North Quay is currently permitted when Westwey Road is at green (traffic turning right in gaps), this right turn will now be controlled separately.  

This means that the right turn into North Quay will only be allowed when Westwey Road is at red.  

Further detection equipment is also being added into the middle of the junction to monitor the progress of vehicles through it; if a car gets stuck in the junction due to congestion and is unable to complete its manoeuvre, the junction will provide a longer time of all red to allow trapped cars to clear before the next approach is given green.

Dorset County Council strategic projects manager Matthew Piles said:

“Following the completion of this junction Dorset Highways has been monitoring its operation, as with every new road scheme.

“At the start of March new road markings were introduced and we are now – as promised – changing the phasing of the lights following the design work which was required. 

“These further alterations are designed to take away doubt about the priority of traffic at the junction, which has been a cause for concern with a minority of drivers not adhering to the Highway Code.

“Some drivers have been confused and have made the right turn from Boot Hill to North Quay without regard for opposing traffic, and the new phasing will stop this.

“We have also relocated the detection equipment which brings up the right turn arrow for drivers turning from Newstead Road into Boot Hill, which will now allow the right turn arrow to appear more often.”

Due to the temporary one-way closure of Kings Street, the number of vehicles currently turning right from Boot Hill into North Quay is higher than is anticipated when all the junction works are complete.

With this in mind, engineers have assessed the new phasing of Harbour Crossroads to ensure there will only be a slight drop in the capacity of the junction.

Finishing work will also be undertaken at Westham Crossroads this week. On Wednesday 30 March, all approaches will be reduced while illuminated give way signs are installed on the slip lanes, light columns are painted and an electricity supply is replaced.

For up to date information on the Weymouth Transport Package follow the project blog:www.weymouthtransportpackage.wordpress.com