Sherborne A30 roadworks removed after a year of delays

Three-way traffic lights have been causing delays on the A30 in Sherborne

Roadworks that have caused delays and disrupted trade in a Dorset town for more than a year have been lifted.

The A30 Kitt Hill in Sherborne was closed on 10 February 2022 after a listed wall was damaged by a lorry.

Part of the route partially reopened in April 2022 but repair work only began in February this year.

Motorists said they were frustrated by how long the repairs had taken. The remaining temporary traffic lights were finally removed on Wednesday.

Dorset Council's highways councillor Ray Bryan said there had been complications with the repairs, with the first contractor finding the work was "beyond his capabilities".

Jane Wood, owner of Oliver's coffee shop and president of Sherborne's Chamber of Commerce, previously said local businesses had been affected by the works, with footfall down by about 10%.

Chris Loder, the MP for West Dorset, welcomed the end of the roadworks.

But he said the owners of the property affected had been left facing "enormous bills" from Dorset Council to pay for traffic lights.

"I will be supporting them every step of the way from now on and I hope the public will be too," he added.

In a statement a spokesperson for Dorset Council said: "We have updated and explained the costs of these measures to the owners throughout, making it clear at every stage that it will be for them to eventually settle."While we have always sympathised with the owners' position, council tax payers shouldn't have to bear the cost of these measures as the road closure was caused by damage to a private property."