Julian’s Bridge in Wimborne will reopen fully to two way traffic next Thursday.
The temporary single lane layout will remain in place during Wimborne Folk Festival this weekend, on 13 and 14 June, and into the start of next week.
Dorset Council says this will allow it to collect data when the bridge is at its busiest with pedestrians, as large numbers of people visit the festival.
The trial has been testing whether temporary traffic signals and a dedicated pedestrian space can make the bridge safer and easier to cross, especially during busy periods and major events.
The council has decided to end the trial early after receiving a high level of public feedback. Nearly 3,000 people have completed the survey, with traffic monitoring also carried out on journeys, speeds and wider impacts.
Councillor Jon Andrews, Dorset Council’s Cabinet Member for Place Services, said: “We are listening to what residents and businesses tell us.”
He said keeping the trial in place over the Folk Festival would provide “valuable insight” when the bridge is busiest for people on foot.
The council says the evidence will help assess whether traffic signal control could be suitable for helping pedestrians cross the bridge safely.
The bridge will close temporarily on Thursday 18 June while traffic lights and cones are removed, before fully reopening later the same day.
Dorset Council says further updates will be shared once the findings have been reviewed.
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