PLANS to close a major road into Christchurch have been revised after complaints from residents and community leaders.

The move to close Stony Lane in Burton this autumn led to concerns from outraged res-idents, members of Burton Parish Council and county councillor David Jones.

Dorset County Council is proposing to put traffic lights either side of the railway bridge to make the traffic flow one-way and widen the footpath as part of the Three Towns Travel Plan.

Concerns over the £140,000 plan were exacerbated over fears they could take place at the same time as major gas works in the High Street from September.

Now, following demands for the proposal to be reconsidered, the county council has made amendments to its plan.

A council spokesman said: “We’ve taken on board the concerns of local residents about the Stony Lane Bridge scheme and have reduced the length of the overall works by more than a month to try and minimise disruption.

“Work will initially start on November 4 for four weeks. The route will still be in use, but there will be the occasional need for stop and go boards.

“The next phase of the scheme will start in January.

“We were looking to close the road for four weeks, but have now reduced this to three weeks.

“The road will be closed from 9am-3:30pm and traffic control will be used throughout the rest of the day to allow most drivers to continue using the route.”

Despite the changes, parish council chairman Judy Jamieson said she was still unhappy with the proposal.

“I am still concerned about what’s proposed and why it has been prolonged,” she said.

Cllr David Jones added: “I am pleased that common sense seems to have broken out to a limited degree but I am yet to be convinced that the officers fully understand the nature of the problem and I am still going to be seeking an urgent meeting to clarify matters.”