A PROJECT to replace a roundabout on a busy commuter route has been scaled back after the highway authority failed to acquire the required land for original proposals.

The scheme at Hurn roundabout will now be carried out entirely within the area of the existing road.

While Dorset County Council (DCC) admits the scheme will not have the same impact as first hoped in terms of improving traffic flows, they claim there is no "do nothing" option at the site.

The smaller revised programme has been designed and construction work is due to last 17 weeks.

A start date is scheduled for Monday, May 21, with completion due in mid-September.

The county council says there is significant queuing along the B3073 and once finished the new layout will improve vehicle movements, especially for HGVs.

They also claim walking and cycling links in the area will benefit and the bridge over Moors River will be enhanced for horse riders.

The original plans for the roundabout set out a much more significant change, however the council has been unable to obtain the required land.

Cllr Daryl Turner, cabinet member for the natural and built environment, said: “We appreciate that the revised roundabout design will not have as great an impact as our preferred scheme, but we have reached a dead-end with land negotiations and it isn’t an option to do nothing at Hurn Roundabout.

“The current roundabout is not fit for the current traffic flows and the development planned for the airport area.

“Our work will be off-peak and has been programmed so that it doesn’t clash with other planned BIG Programme schemes.”

As reported by the Daily Echo last December, the project had been delayed due to issues with land acquisition. It was originally due to take place in autumn 2017.

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

The project includes footway widening and the installation of dropped kerbs to improve conditions for cyclists and pedestrians.

Essential bridge maintenance, to replace the bridge decking and parapets of the footbridge over the Moors River, will also be carried out at the same time.

Work will be off-peak from 9am to 4pm, with a mix of traffic management, including stop/go and narrowed lane widths in order to maintain traffic flows.

The council confirmed there will be occasions when temporary three-way lights and night closures are needed to carry out sections of the scheme.

Engineers have been carrying out other BIG programme schemes close to Hurn roundabout in recent months including at Blackwater junction, with work due to be completed at the link road to the A338 in May.