Institute Road, in the centre of Swanage’s shopping area, was shut today for 16 weeks, while construction work takes place to improve pedestrian, safety following a serious collision in 2015.
To enable traffic to get through the town, a diversion has been put in place, with the one-way flow on Kings Road East reversed. Part of the High Street has now become two-way with the installation of temporary traffic lights. Institute Road remains open to pedestrians throughout the period.
Widening pavements
The roadworks, that will continue through the Easter holidays, are to allow the removal of the loading bay and the widening of the pavements to two and a half metres. It also includes installing new drainage systems and rebuilding the pavements and kerbs up to a higher level.
By removing the loading bay along Institute Road and re-positioning new bays at either end, vehicles will in future, never have to mount the pavement to get round lorries parked in the loading bay. It’s hoped that widening the pavements will also allow more room for people to walk safely along this stretch of road during the busy summer months.
