Bridge traffic lights trial to end after 'feedback'

Temporary traffic lights installed to trial a pedestrian walkway on a narrow road bridge will be removed earlier than planned after complaints.

Travel delays have been reported since the signals were installed at Julian's Bridge in Wimborne, Dorset, on 26 May.

The temporary walkway and signal-controlled, one-way traffic were due to remain in place for nearly six weeks, until 3 July, to assess whether a separate footbridge was needed across the River Stour.

Dorset Council said nearly 3,000 people responded to a consultation and, after the "high level of feedback", it would reopen the road fully on 18 June.

The council said the lights would remain in place to collect data during the Wimborne Folk Festival when more pedestrians were expected to use the bridge.

Place services councillor Jon Andrews said: "We know this trial has been difficult for people, especially when the road has been busy, but we are listening to what residents and businesses tell us.

"The huge response to our survey and the data we've collected illustrates how the single lane works in practice for vehicle movement over the bridge and in the local area."

Ward councillor Andy Todd said: "We have listened carefully to the feedback.

"It is agreed that it would be inappropriate to continue the trial in its current form given the level of disruption experienced, and the focus will now be on analysing the evidence to inform next steps."

The 17th-century, Grade I listed bridge is not wide enough for a footpath, meaning people crossing the river have to share the road with vehicles.

Dorset Council said there had been 12 incidents of vehicles crashing into the bridge parapets in the past 25 years and at least five injury crashes in the past five years.

Speaking on BBC Radio Solent's Dorset Breakfast show on Thursday, Andrews said the trial aimed to demonstrate how different options affected safety, traffic flow and pedestrian access.

He said: "We all know it's a narrow structure.

"It's a dangerous bridge if you're on foot and it's a dangerous bridge if you're in a large vehicle as well."

The road will close temporarily on 18 June while traffic lights are removed.

Residents can share their views online or on a paper questionnaire, available at Wimborne and Corfe Mullen libraries.