Understand
New road in Gillingham, Dorset, opens three years after completion
Overview
Madjeston Way, a new road linking the eastern and western sides of Gillingham in Dorset, has opened to the public three years after construction finished. The 1.3km route was kept closed while surrounding housing developments progressed and is intended to ease pressure on existing roads, providing an alternative route across the town.
Key points
- Madjeston Way spans just under one mile (1.3km) and links New Road with Shaftesbury Road.
- Construction of the road finished in 2023, but it remained closed until housing development reached a stage where it could safely open.
- The road has a 30mph speed limit, traffic signals at its eastern connection, and shared-use off-road cycleways and footways.
- The £6.31m project was funded by a government Housing Infrastructure Fund bid, with costs to be recovered from developers.
- The route was designed to unlock land for new homes, a primary school, health services, and sports pitches.