WORK on a busy junction in the centre of Sherborne is not expected to completed on time.

In July, work began to upgrade the Newell junction – one of the town’s busiest traffic hotspots – by widening the road and making it easier to turn on the Marston Road in a bid to ease congestion.

While the work has been progressing, drivers have been facing delays due to traffic lights, with the work due to be completed around November 14.

However, a report to the Dorset Council on October 20 by Councillor Ray Bryan, portfolio holder for highways, travel and environment, revealed the finishing date was likely to be missed.

He told the Full Council meeting: “On August 5, 2022, a high voltage electricity cable was discovered on site at the Marston Road Junction Improvement Scheme. This cable was not on the plans provided by the electricity company Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN).

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“Unfortunately, the cable position meant that it would need to be moved to allow certain sections of the works to proceed, and prompt action was taken to notify SSEN. Works on site continued on the areas not affected by the unchartered cable.

“SSEN officers have visited the site and passed the work to their contractor. The timescales involved for the mobilisation of SSEN mean the junction works will now most likely not be complete by November 14.

“We are pushing SSEN to progress this work as quickly as possible. Once we have the SSEN date, we will then be able to programme the remaining works and provide an updated programme.”

The project will see a new right-turn lane added to aid westbound A30 traffic turning into Marston Road and the overall signal-controlled area reduced in size.

These alterations will improve the efficiency of the junction and mean fewer delays for drivers, according to the council.

To provide space for the additional right-turn lane, the pavement next to the A30 between Back Lane and Cornhill is being moved to the back of the verge and upgraded to a shared walkway/cycleway to improve off-road cycle links around the junction.

All the crossings at the junction will also be upgraded to the cycle-friendly ‘toucan’ type, the council added.