A SERIES of closures are planned for the main road through Broadstone in the coming weeks.

Stretches of the road will shut as part of a "major" scheme aimed at improving pedestrian and cycling facilities, council officials say.

Dunyeats Road will be closed to all vehicles on the following anticipated dates.

• Saturday, August 17 and Sunday, August 18, 7.30am to 6pm, from Tudor Road to Upper Golf Links Road / Laurel Drive.

• Tuesday, August 27 and Wednesday, August 28, 7.30am to 6pm, from Upper Golf Links Road / Laurel Drive to Water Tower Road.

• Thursday, August 29 and Friday, August 30, 7.30am to 6pm, from Water Tower Road to Ashwood Drive.

• Saturday, August 31 and Sunday, September 1, 7.30am to 6pm, from No.5 Dunyeats Road to Tudor Road and Ashwood Drive to Gravel Hill.

The works will involve widening the footway on the north side of Dunyeats Road, removing the existing pedestrian crossing between Station Approach and Tudor Road and constructing three new pedestrian crossings near to the junctions of Station Approach and Tudor Road and outside of Broadstone Middle School.

Continuous footpaths across the junctions of most of the side roads will also be installed.

In addition, works to repair drains, reposition street lighting, implement new parking restrictions and resurface the road will be carried out.

The main diversion route for traffic wishing to head to Broadstone from the Gravel Hill direction will be signposted via Darbys Corner and Lower Blandford Road.

Councillor Andy Hadley, BCP Council cabinet member for transport and infrastructure, said: “We are currently on schedule to deliver this scheme before the end of the school holidays.

"Once completed the additional crossings will provide safer access to local schools and encourage more people to walk or cycle along this main route.

"This will in turn help to reduce congestion and pollution, promoting better public health. We apologise for the inconvenience and thank everyone for their patience whilst these improvements are taking place.’’

During the closure on August 31 and September 1, parking bays outside the parade of shops in Dunyeats Road will not be available.