Safety schemes in the South West region
We're delivering targeted speed limit reductions on the A40, A46 and A38. This is part of our ongoing commitment to reduce the number of people harmed on the region's roads.
What we're doing
Safety is and always will be our number one priority. That's why our ambition remains that no-one should be harmed while travelling or working on our roads.
Our aim is to improve road safety for all road users by introducing reduced speed limits, which we anticipate will reduce the frequency and severity of collisions.
Locations
To reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries caused by collisions, we’re proposing targeted speed limit reductions.
Our proposals are based on collision and risk assessment data.
You'll also find information here about when we're working and how this will affect you.
A35 Charmouth to Yellowham
From Monday 1 December until Spring 2026, we’ll be making safety improvements on the A35 Charmouth to Yellowham, as part of our ongoing commitment to reduce the number of people harmed.
Upcoming works
22 to 26 June (8pm-6am)
We’re doing signage installation works under five-way traffic lights on each of the entrance and exit roads at Monkey's Jump roundabout.
29 June to 3 July (8pm-6am)
There will be a full closure of the A35 eastbound from Stadium roundabout to Stinsford roundabout to allow signage installation works to be done safely.
During these times, a clearly signed diversion will be in place via local routes through Dorchester, guiding traffic back onto the A35 at Stinsford roundabout.
29 June (7pm-6am)
A lane closure will be in place on the A35 eastbound on Chideock Hill, from the start of the 3-lane section to halfway up the hill, to allow for camera installation.
30 June (7pm to 6am)
There will be a lane closure and three-way traffic lights between Valley Cottages and The Paddock in Winterbourne Abbas to allow for camera installation.
Local access to properties on West Way will be maintained by a marshal.
For information on works on the A35 outside of this safety scheme, visit South West maintenance schemes.
Please remember that closures can change at short notice. You can check the latest information on our daily closures. Our travel alerts give details of live incidents on our network.
Background
The A35 between Charmouth and Yellowham is mainly single carriageway with several villages along the route. Due to the number and severity of collisions and the constrained nature of the road, we’ve made safety improvements to help reduce deaths and serious injuries. These include signage, road marking, and kerb works. We’ve also completed statutory processes to install average speed cameras and reduce speed limits as follows:
- new 50mph limit - between Berne Lane and Tizard Knap;
- new 50mph limit - between Coombe Road and Monkey’s Jump Roundabout;
- new 50mph limit - between West Stinsford Roundabout and the overbridge at Cuckoo Lane Junction;
- new 40mph limit - extension between Tizzard’s Knap Junction and Ryall (Star Lane);
- new 40mph limit - between Howard Road Junction and Firch Lane;
- new 30mph limit - between Hollow Way junction and Howard Road junction;
- new 50mph limit - between Long Bredy Hut Lane and Winterbourne Abbas.
These improvements have been shaped with input from parish councils, Dorset Police, road safety partnerships and local MPs.
Project information
Overview
We’re always exploring ways to make our roads safer through a better understanding of driver behaviour. We do this using collision data, risk assessments and insights.
We're proposing several speed management changes to reduce collisions.
Benefits
Safety is and will always be our number one priority.
Our ambition remains that no-one should be harmed while travelling or working on our roads.
Achieving this shared vision will benefit:
- the country as a whole
- families and individuals whose lives continue to be affected by collisions on our roads.
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