The Unofficial Weymouth & Portland 2012 Olympic Blog

The case for the Weymouth relief road hopefully made progress recently as members of Weymouth & Portland Chamber of Commerce (WPCC) presented the case for prioritising the project as although the Government has agreed funding, it has fallen down the pecking order to other projects currently underway in the South West.

Previous WPCC president David Beaman heading the presentation stated only time would tell if their efforts had been successful.

He briefed committee members and gave them a letter - written by himself and chamber president David Johnston - stressing the need for the relief road.

The letter told of the chamber’s disappointment at not being given the highest possible priority’ for the road.

Mr Beaman’s letter stated Weymouth would benefit on three major fronts:

-Employment opportunities
-Release the full economic potential of the 2012 sailing events being hosted in Weymouth.
-Improve the live of people living on Dorchester road and reduce traffic congestion in the town centre and between Weymouth & Dorchester.

Should the move fail, Mr Beaman promised further lobbying would follow.

My personal opinion is that this road is essential to enable Weymouth to grow commercially, one of our biggest employers; New Look felt the situation was so dire they moved their entire distribution operation, Portland port is at a loss due to the poor road links.

Families stay away from Weymouth at the weekends knowing that they will face a 30-60 minute queue just to get into the town centre, instead choosing to shop elsewhere.
The relief road is by no means the final solution but it’s certainly a start. Can we honestly expect our traffic infrastructure to cope during the 2012 games when it is proven on a daily basis every summer that its already inadequate.

The greens major argument is the damage to the environment the new route will cause, but how about the damage it would save due to cars not being stuck in a 30 minute queue in/out of Weymouth each and every day, enabling commuters and holidaymakers alike to reach their destination quicker.
I appreciate there would be a horrible blot on the landscape by cutting a wedge out of the ridgeway however the same was said of the Puddletown dual carriageway when that was being planned… sometimes we have to put ourselves and our needs first!