DEMOLITION of a building in Gillingham is now underway as part of a multi-million pound transport scheme, after asbestos was found in its soffit boards.

Following the delay, the knocking down of The Old Manse in New Road started on September 28, as one of the latest stages in transport improvements for the town, in total costing £3.18million.

More junction improvements in this area will start on November 2, taking around 12 weeks to complete.

As part of the preparation for the junction works at New Road and Shaftesbury Road, a highway drainage survey was carried out on New Road and found that the drainage system also needs replacing.

As well as this, according to Dorset Council the new toucan crossing on Le Neubourg Way is due to be up and running this month, and the raised table on High Street will be imprinted with a paving effect – completing works at this junction.

Work to improve the pedestrian and cycling facilities at the roundabout in Newbury are “nearly finished”, the authority added.

The pavement widening of Station Road is also set to finish and the new Waitrose Junction has been commissioned.

As previously reported, Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership had secured the cash boost through the Government’s Growth Deal to deliver the transport improvement package for the town.

Dorset Council says it is “on track” for the entire scheme to be completed by March, and the funding is being used to enhance key junctions through Gillingham, improve cycle links to the train station and will fund the design of the Enmore Green Link Road.