Drivers told to 'trust' bridge traffic lights trial

Temporary traffic lights are being installed on a historical road bridge to determine whether a new footbridge is needed to protect pedestrians.

Julian's Bridge in Wimborne will have signal-controlled, one-way traffic for six weeks from Tuesday while Dorset Council trials a temporary footway on part of the road.

Delays are expected between Lake Gates roundabout and Wimborne, with the trial timed to coincide with Wimborne Folk Festival to test the impact during peak times.

Local councillor Andy Todd urged drivers to "trust the process", saying the exercise could help justify plans for a separate pedestrian bridge over the River Stour.

The 17th-century, Grade I listed bridge is not wide enough for a footpath, meaning people crossing the river have to share the road with traffic.

Dorset Council said there had been 12 incidents of vehicles crashing into the bridge parapets in the past 25 years and at least five injury crashes in the past five years.

The trial will test whether reducing the bridge to one-way traffic can create space for a footpath and improve safety.

The road will be closed to traffic, except cyclists and pedestrians, on Tuesday from 09:30 to 15:30 BST while the lights and barriers are installed.

In a social media post, Todd, who is ward councillor for Colehill and Wimborne East, said: "This trial on Julian's Bridge will not be popular, it will be inconvenient, but it is expected to prove that traffic lights are not a viable solution for this Grade I listed bridge, and thus justify spending the public's money building a separate pedestrian crossing.

"Trust the process. It will be worth it in the end."

A Dorset Council spokesperson said: "This is a trial only, designed to gather evidence and understand the impact on residents, businesses and road users before any future decisions are considered."

Residents can share their views online or on a paper questionnaire, available at Wimborne and Corfe Mullen libraries.

The temporary lights are expected to remain in place until 3 July.