Originally five months of 24-hour one-way traffic, controlled with lights, had been programmed for Ridgeway while work is underway to tie in the relief road level with the existing A354.

The project team wanted to avoid the disruption that this would cause, and the potential for more traffic on minor roads in the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty area, and have come up with a temporary alternative route for traffic on the A354.

The diversion route will avoid the need for prolonged traffic management, reducing this from 34 weeks to just ten weeks in January while the Monkton Hill section of the cycleway between Weymouth and Dorchester is constructed.

The diversion road will run from the top of Ridgeway Hill for approximately 1km.

Dorset County Council Head of Highways Andy Ackerman said:

"With the diversionary road in place, the construction work to tie in the two road levels will also be more efficient, safer and easier to keep on programme.

"Now, just a small stretch of one-way traffic will need to have lights in operation when work starts in January to build the cycleway between Weymouth and Dorchester."

Cabinet member for transport Col Geoffrey Brierley said:

"It's great news that we have been able to find a way to reduce the amount of time traffic on the A354 will need to be controlled with lights, and that the busy Christmas shopping period shouldn't be affected.

"Hopefully motorists will understand the need to control a short section of the road with lights during the cycleway construction in January."

It will take two to three weeks to build the temporary road and it will be in place for around one year. All the material used for the temporary road will be recycled and reused elsewhere on the scheme once the route is closed.