We are currently working on a scheme to enhance the safety of the junction of Clarence Road with Queens Avenue in Dorchester.

This is a very busy junction both with pedestrian and vehicle movements, and its current layout has led to some drivers hesitant and unsure of priority.

Our aim is to provide clear pedestrian priority, including a controlled crossing, to improve the safety for vulnerable users and create a safer route for school children.

The scheme will also contribute to encouraging healthy, active, independent travel opportunities for the wider community.

Our proposal is to:

• introduce a zebra crossing on Clarence Road in the location of the existing school crossing patrol, which the crossing will replace
• give priority to Clarence Road vehicles, with Queens Avenue acting as sideroads with give way markings.
• tighten up all the approaches to the junction to slow vehicles and provide crossing points (dropped kerbs and tactile paving) on each route

To help control vehicle speeds, we also propose to have the entire junction on a raised table. This would be 3m long on Clarence Road and 2m wide across Queens Avenue. 

View the design proposal for a zebra crossing and raised table

Construction

Following public consultation, the legal notices required for the scheme have been approved and the scheme will be built in July/August 2026 during the school summer holidays.

We had been hopeful to build the scheme in summer 2025, unfortunately, trial holes uncovered additional work that needs to be carried out before highway work can begin.

There are many utilities under the road in this residential area. Prior to the trial holes, results from a ground penetrating radar survey and statutory undertaker infrastructure maps informed our road surface levels design. However, trial holes revealed that low voltage electricity cables on Queen’s Avenue are not at the required/standard depth. This means the cables must be lowered to ensure that sufficient road cover is maintained over the apparatus.

We are working with SSE to ensure this cable diversion work is carried out ahead of summer 2026.

Our Road Safety Team will be developing a plan for the School Crossing Patrol (SCP) to ensure continued safe crossing provision following the delay to scheme construction.