REVISED lane closures and traffic management which begins next week as part of the work on the £12.1-million junction improvement scheme at Merrymeet near Whiddon Down will be lifted during the Easter holiday period. A temporary contraflow on the westbound carriageway, west of the existing roundabout, went into operation this week for the safety of workers and road users. The Highways Agency say this arrangement will be in place until just before Easter and will allow the construction of the foundations for the new bridge as part of the junction improvement. The contraflow and traffic restrictions on both carriageways will be lifted during the Easter holiday period from April 13 to 18. After this date the contraflow will be reinstated west of the existing roundabout. The works are due to be suspended from July over the summer months to allow the free flow of peak holiday traffic. The revised Merrymeet Junction will improve safety by removing the roundabout and replacing it with a two-level junction. Implementing this new layout will reduce congestion and improve safety. Over a five-year period between 1998 and 2002, there were 21 accidents at the site, including two fatalities. The road is used by an average of 21,000 vehicles a day, rising to 51,000 during the peak summer period.