An experiment to see whether reversing a town centre street would improve traffic flow in the area has ended.

Earlier this year, Kings Road East in Swanage town centre was reversed, with the flow of traffic heading into town. This was part of the traffic management arrangements during improvement works on Institute Road, which saw the town centre route closed to vehicles for five months.

Once the improvement works were completed, Swanage Town Council asked for the reversal of Kings Road East to remain in place as an experimental order to see if it could help the flow of traffic around the town once Institute Road reopened.

For many years there has been a desire for a second route into the southern part of the town, with Kings Road East being the only viable route to fulfil this.

However, it has now been decided that the experimental order will be suspended, with Kings Road East reverting back to an out of town flow from Friday, August 14. The weight restriction on High Street will also be reinstated. This is following discussions with local residents and Swanage Town Council, who argued that the experiment had not improved the traffic flow for residents of the town.

Cllr Ray Bryan, Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel and Environment, said: “We’re always happy to work with town and parish councils to investigate what can be done to help improve highway conditions in their area.

“Working with Swanage Town Council there was an opportunity to put into practice a long sought-after additional route into the town and gain feedback from residents.

“It’s clear from the representations made that this route does not work for local residents.”

Around 90 objections were received as part of the Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO) consultation which was due to run until August 7. Plans are now in place to return the road back to its original flow from the High Street towards Kings Road West.

ETROs can only be modified or suspended, rather than revoked. On paper the Kings Road East ETRO will continue to run for its full 18 months but the suspension overrides this, allowing the road to revert to its original flow earlier than anticipated.