A DORSET road with a shocking accident record has been targeted for safety improvements.

The single carriageway stretch of the A31 between Bere Regis and Sturminster Marshall has become notorious for serious and often fatal collisions.

The Highways Agency, which is responsible for the road, has been investigating the causes of accidents at the blackspot.

Their findings have promoted plans to resurface sections of the road, specifically around Almer and Stag Gate.

The agency has also said other measures, including new signage, vehicle-activated speed boards and improved road markings, could be installed.

An agency spokesman said: “We have studied the causes of the incidents which have happened on the A31 between Dullar Lane and the B3075 Quarry Lane.

“We have identified measures which could be taken to further improve safety.

“These proposals will now be progressed as and when funding becomes available.

“Ahead of this, we plan to resurface sections of this part of the road to further improve the surface for road users.”

The resurfacing will be completed before April next year.

Two head-on crashes within a week last summer, one of which killed two men, led to calls for swift action to be taken over the A31.

Road safety chiefs insisted the road could be negotiated safely with sensible driving.

But campaigners pointed out improvements, including the introduction of a 50mph speed limit, which had been made to another notorious road, the A35 between the Bakers Arms roundabout and Bere Regis.

District councillor Robin Cook said he had been using the A31 since the 1960s and it had changed very little.

“There is an issue with that stretch but it is the standard of driving that is the problem,” he said.

Dorset County Council said they were in regular dialogue with the Highways Agency over the route.