COUNCILLORS are demanding a roundabout is built at a “dangerous” junction on the A35 as part of the controversial Vearse Farm development.

Highways England wants plans for the development on the outskirts of Bridport to be put on hold for six months while more work is carried out by Hallam Land Management. It is also now backing plans for a roundabout.

Hallam wants to construct 760 homes, a new school, a care home and employment land in Symondsbury. But Highways England is demanding developers explain the impact Vearse Farm would have on the A35 - and have called on West Dorset District Council (WDDC) not to grant permission for the outline proposals for six months.

Hallam has proposed two access roads to the Vearse Farm site, both along West Street - while the leader of the town council has suggested an entrance to the site from a new roundabout at Miles Cross.

Highways England said it would prefer a roundabout at Miles Cross after a high number of collisions were recorded and it believes “a number of issues remain outstanding”.

Now town councillors are backing calls to install a roundabout at the junction in Symondsbury.

Cllr Sarah Williams, leader of Bridport Town Council, said: “I think the town council and parish councils would want a roundabout there.

“It is a very badly laid out and dangerous junction at Miles Cross. I think if you are going to put a roundabout at that junction then there is an argument that you could try putting an access road to Vearse Farm. I think that is what we are pressing for.

“A lot of people do not use that junction because it is dangerous.”

Cllr Dave Rickard said that working groups sessions with developers to create a ‘masterplan’ had “gone very well” but hoped pleas for a roundabout at Miles Cross would be listened to.

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He said: “At the moment it is a bit of a dog’s breakfast.

“By having these meetings, we can get a clearer picture of what progress is being made. The one thing that has come out is that people in Bridport have been asking for a roundabout at Miles Cross.

“I think from a safety perspective, a roundabout is essential. I think we urgently need a traffic slowing device. If we have the new development at Vearse Farm, we will have a lot more traffic and a roundabout is the only way of doing that.”

Hallam said it is currently producing a detailed design document which people will have the opportunity to have their say on.

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Andy Birch, regional manager for Hallam Land Management, said: “Hallam scoped out the works required before submitting the application but it gets to a stage where consultees such as the Environment Agency and Highways England require an application submitted to enable a full and detailed review.

“We have committed to providing a more detailed document relating to design and delivery, despite the scheme being an outline proposal. This document will be consulted on as well as any amendments to the scheme as a whole. This will include all of the ongoing technical work for flooding and transport.”