A DECISION on how to tidy up a Bridport gateway has been made.

It comes after Highways England offered the town council two options on what to do about the A35 Crown roundabout, which has been the topic of many a complaint in recent months over its current state.

Residents have complained in recent months that the roundabout has become 'unkept' and 'scruffy' and 'a bad advertisement for the town'.

The first option was to completely clear all trees and shrubs and return to a flat, grassed roundabout. The second is to retain the central elements of trees and shrubs, but to substantially reduce their size, in doing so removing some trees and shrubs around the periphery. Highways England proposed the options to Bridport Town Council earlier this month, stating that an answer would need to be given by the end of August.

Bridport Town Council has responded with a preference for the second option, to retain the central elements rather than grassing over the roundabout. However, councillors remain determined to continue to press for a feature design for both the Crown and East Road roundabouts, which they believe befits the roundabouts' status as gateways to the town, coast and the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Highways England maintains it is not willing to consider this due to safety concerns.

The town council also asked the organisation to plant shrubs surrounded by well managed grass and wild flowers. Councillors feel this could offer an 'oasis' for insect and plant life and present a satisfactory image.

They have also requested a management regime to help keep the roundabout in good aesthetic order whilst promoting biodiversity within the proposed planting scheme.

Mayor of Bridport, Ian Bark, took aim at Highways England's suggestions and deadline for response last week, claiming 'the people of Bridport were being threatened rather than being engaged in a serious dialogue'.

The mayor said he believed they should be given more time to give residents of the town a say on the future of the roundabout.

Highways England responded, with service manager Stephen Potts, saying: “At Highways England, safety is our number one priority and as such, we have to ensure the design and upkeep of our roundabouts provide good visibly and are safe for motorists.

“Following complaints about visibility on the Crown roundabout from local residents, we are taking action to ensure it is safe and can be properly maintained.

“We have discussed the options at length with Bridport Town Council and will continue to liaise with the council on the safety of the roundabout. We appreciate members will be disappointed that it is not possible to have monuments on the roundabout for safety and maintenance reasons but we will continue to engage with the council on the maintenance of the roundabout in a productive manner.”