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Wheelchair user praises junction change plans

Dorset Council Geoff, a man with grey hair in a wheelchair with blue wheels. He is waiting on a pavement to cross a road. In the foreground is a road sign which reads: "Maumbury".Dorset Council
Geoff says he often has to cross halfway and wait in the middle of the road

A wheelchair user has praised plans to make it safer for those with limited mobility to cross a road.

Improvement work at the four-way junction at Maumbury Cross in Dorchester, Dorset, will start on 13 January.

Signal-controlled pedestrian crossings will be installed and footpaths will be widened and levelled.

Geoff said the changes would make life "considerably better" as he was unable to see around the bend and anticipate when cars were coming.

Dorset Council Geoff, a man with grey hair. He is wearing a navy jacket and there are several green trees and shrubs behind him.Dorset Council
Geoff hopes to see the pavements made "a lot smoother"

In a video on Dorset Council's YouTube page, Geoff said he currently found it difficult to use the crossing.

"The pavement's too narrow, the camber on the pavement is extremely steep so it makes the wheelchair roll into the road," he added.

"I appreciate the council has actually had consultations with the disability group for Dorchester because it's helped us put in an input."

Google Cars driving on the four-way junction at Maumbury Cross in Dorchester. To the left is a brick wall with a narrow pavement.Google
Currently the junction has narrow pavements and only one controlled crossing point

Jon Andrews, Dorset Council's cabinet member for place services, said the junction could be "daunting" and "particularly challenging" during rush hours.

He said: "Full views of approaching vehicles can be difficult and the current layout means some people have to wait in the middle of the road to cross."

Between 13 January and 7 February, three-way stop/go signals will be in place on Weymouth Avenue and Queens Avenue daily from 09:30 to 14:30 GMT while work takes place.

From February to May, Maumbury Cross will be controlled with four-way temporary lights.

Edward Road will also be closed between Coburg Road and Weymouth Avenue, with a signed diversion in place.

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