A REVISED road improvement scheme at Hurn roundabout starts tomorrow.

Work will be carried out in the area for around 20 weeks, with a provisional completion earmarked for the end of September.

The project will start with four nights of three-way traffic lights from 8pm to 6am on Tuesday, May 29 up to the morning of Saturday, June 2.

The temporary lights are required to allow engineers to dig the road crossings needed for the utilities in the area.

From Monday, June 4, work will begin to remove the three splitter islands around the roundabout.

Engineers will operate on working days from 8am to 7pm, but it is claimed the bulk of ‘visible’ work will be done during off-peak hours from 9.30am to 3.30pm, Monday to Friday, to minimise disruption to traffic.

Stop/go boards will be used to facilitate deliveries and for pedestrian/cyclist access through the area when the pavement is blocked.

The one-way section of Hurn Court Lane from the B3073 onto Mill Lane will be closed during this scheme to limit ‘rat-running’ through the narrow lanes.

Work was originally due to begin last week, however the project was pushed back due to supply issues.

The scheme has been scaled down by Dorset County Council using only the existing area of the road due to failed land acquisition attempts.

Senior councillors admitted the revised projcet will not have the same benefit as originally desired, but claimed there was no "do nothing" option at Hurn roundabout.

The council funded work, which is part of the wider £45m Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership's BIG programme, will cost around £750,000.