Today's most viewed
| JOIN OUR READER PANEL |  | | | LOCAL NEWS | | | | | LOCAL SPORT | | |
|
|
|
Relief road wait may be ending
A DECISION could be made on Weymouth's long-awaited relief road within the next four weeks.
Supporters have been keenly awaiting news on public inquiry inspector Alan Gray's report into vital compulsory purchase and side road orders for the £84 million scheme.
But they will have to wait a little longer after the Government Office for the North East said its casework team was still considering Mr Gray's report and a decision is expected soon'.
South Dorset MP Jim Knight remained in positive mood and said: "I am still hopeful that we will hear something this month.
"It is just a question of being patient for a few more weeks at the end of a 30-year wait.
"Officials are being really careful to make sure that everything is done
properly so that when they issue their decision it is water-tight.
"I am confident that that decision will go Weymouth's way because the case for the relief road was extremely strong."
Weymouth relief road project manager Matthew Piles explained that Dorset County Council was in a Catch 22
situation'.
He said: "Until the compulsory purchase orders for land needed for the relief road are approved then funding for the scheme from the Department of Transport will not be confirmed."
He added that the authority remained positive, hoped to start work on the scheme this autumn and had been working hard behind the scenes.
He said: "Since the inquiry closed we have been actively doing a lot of environmental pre-works on land owned by Dorset County Council.
"This includes rescuing and relocating more than 1,000 slow-worms near Lodmoor landfill where the proposed new park and ride will be situated.
"We have already removed more than 20 rusting and burnt-out cars from the Lorton valley, while tree management works have been carried out in Horselynch Plantation including the removal of metal debris.
"We have also been working very closely with statutory bodies such as the Environment Agency to go over preliminary work conditions ready to go once the go-ahead is agreed.
"We have to be positive and believe that the go-ahead will be given. We are working extremely hard to make sure that when approval is given we can start work on the relief road this autumn."
9:46am Thursday 7th August 2008
Print 
Email this 
CommentPosted by: Dave S, Weymouth on 10:14am Thu 7 Aug 08
Deja Vu or what?
Also " the Government Office for the North East said its casework team was still considering Mr Gray's report and a decision is expected soon'."
What the hell has it got to do with them?
Deja Vu or what?
Also " the Government Office for the North East said its casework team was still considering Mr Gray's report and a decision is expected soon'."
What the hell has it got to do with them?
Posted by: John Holmes, Weymouth on 10:17am Thu 7 Aug 08
"But they will have to wait a little longer after the Government Office for the North East said its casework team was still considering Mr Gray's report and a decision is expected soon'."
Sorry, government for the North East? Has this country suddenly tipped upside down?
"But they will have to wait a little longer after the Government Office for the North East said its casework team was still considering Mr Gray's report and a decision is expected soon'."
Sorry, government for the North East? Has this country suddenly tipped upside down?
Posted by: Squib, weymouth on 10:24am Thu 7 Aug 08
Us locals we have put up with the rusty burnt out cars spoiling the lovely countryside there for years then suddenly in their wisdom they got rid of them and cut the grass at great expense.I suspect it was because some VIPs were about to survey the area! It was lovely walking the dog up there yesterday even though we had to dodge the flying PIGS (84 Million?)
Us locals we have put up with the rusty burnt out cars spoiling the lovely countryside there for years then suddenly in their wisdom they got rid of them and cut the grass at great expense.I suspect it was because some VIPs were about to survey the area! It was lovely walking the dog up there yesterday even though we had to dodge the flying PIGS (84 Million?)
Posted by: John Holmes, Weymouth on 10:26am Thu 7 Aug 08
[quote][bold]Squib[/bold] wrote:
Us locals we have put up with the rusty burnt out cars spoiling the lovely countryside there for years then suddenly in their wisdom they got rid of them and cut the grass at great expense.I suspect it was because some VIPs were about to survey the area! It was lovely walking the dog up there yesterday even though we had to dodge the flying PIGS (84 Million?)[/quote] Read the article please - it is preparation works.
Squib wrote:
Us locals we have put up with the rusty burnt out cars spoiling the lovely countryside there for years then suddenly in their wisdom they got rid of them and cut the grass at great expense.I suspect it was because some VIPs were about to survey the area! It was lovely walking the dog up there yesterday even though we had to dodge the flying PIGS (84 Million?)
Read the article please - it is preparation works.
Posted by: The Spy, Here on 11:27am Thu 7 Aug 08
[bold]"But they will have to wait a little longer after the Government Office for the North East said its casework team was still considering Mr Gray's report and a decision is expected soon'."
Sorry, government for the North East? Has this country suddenly tipped upside down?"[/bold]
I think you will find that any investigation team has to be from another area, in order to give an impartial decision. At least that's the theory!
"But they will have to wait a little longer after the Government Office for the North East said its casework team was still considering Mr Gray's report and a decision is expected soon'."
Sorry, government for the North East? Has this country suddenly tipped upside down?"
I think you will find that any investigation team has to be from another area, in order to give an impartial decision. At least that's the theory!
Posted by: techie, Weymouth on 11:47am Thu 7 Aug 08
[quote]Sorry, government for the North East? Has this country suddenly tipped upside down?[/quote]
GO-NE is responsible for the delivery of a number of Department for Transport functions; when you correspond with them it's all done on DfT headed paper but they all work for GO-NE.
Sorry, government for the North East? Has this country suddenly tipped upside down?
GO-NE is responsible for the delivery of a number of Department for Transport functions; when you correspond with them it's all done on DfT headed paper but they all work for GO-NE.
Posted by: ColinKat, Hereandthere on 12:03pm Thu 7 Aug 08
Whats all this talk of 84 million? We all know its going to be double that, and you can be sure that central government won't want to pay for it so it will be down to local government to stump up the sponds. I hope Jim Knight is in such positive mood when he see's the bill and realizes that traffic light removal would have been a lot cheaper, and as effective.
Whats all this talk of 84 million? We all know its going to be double that, and you can be sure that central government won't want to pay for it so it will be down to local government to stump up the sponds. I hope Jim Knight is in such positive mood when he see's the bill and realizes that traffic light removal would have been a lot cheaper, and as effective.
Posted by: John Holmes, Weymouth on 12:30pm Thu 7 Aug 08
[quote][bold]ColinKat[/bold] wrote:
Whats all this talk of 84 million? We all know its going to be double that, and you can be sure that central government won't want to pay for it so it will be down to local government to stump up the sponds. I hope Jim Knight is in such positive mood when he see's the bill and realizes that traffic light removal would have been a lot cheaper, and as effective. [/quote] Manure! Central/regional governement has agreed to fund the road! And the road is very very very much needed!
ColinKat wrote:
Whats all this talk of 84 million? We all know its going to be double that, and you can be sure that central government won't want to pay for it so it will be down to local government to stump up the sponds. I hope Jim Knight is in such positive mood when he see's the bill and realizes that traffic light removal would have been a lot cheaper, and as effective.
Manure! Central/regional governement has agreed to fund the road! And the road is very very very much needed!
Posted by: The Fish, Weymouth on 1:17pm Thu 7 Aug 08
Could be an expensive decision - as far as I am aware nearly all (if not all) the land has already been purchased which would imply the road is on its way - so what decision are they making?
Could be an expensive decision - as far as I am aware nearly all (if not all) the land has already been purchased which would imply the road is on its way - so what decision are they making?
Posted by: Tru Belle, purbeck on 2:09pm Thu 7 Aug 08
"Government Office for the North East said its casework team was still considering Mr Gray's report and a decision is --"
I see the plot now--An extension of the GREAT NORTH ROAD!
"Government Office for the North East said its casework team was still considering Mr Gray's report and a decision is --"
I see the plot now--An extension of the GREAT NORTH ROAD!
Posted by: John, Weymouth on 6:11pm Thu 7 Aug 08
Central Government may have agreed to fund the road, but that was whilst the Government was getting us all deeper into debt.
Unnecessary spending now – as we enter a major recession, is nothing short of fiscal profligacy and irresponsibility… but why expect anything else from this bunch of clowns?
From today’s news:
http://news.bbc.co.u
k/1/hi/business/7513
309.stm
Public sector borrowing rose by more than expected in June, official figures have shown, suggesting the economic slowdown is hitting government coffers.
Public sector net borrowing (PSNB) was £9.16bn, a record amount for June and more than analyst forecasts of £7.4bn.
Borrowing so far this financial year has reached £24.4bn since April - the biggest quarterly figure since 1946.
"The figures are horrific, absolutely horrific," said Philip Shaw at Investec.
"The fiscal situation looks very unhealthy, especially if you take into account that economic growth is going to be considerably weaker than government estimates," he added.
The Budget forecast for net borrowing in the 2008 financial year was £43bn, with debt expected to be 38.5% of national income.
"At this rate of increase, borrowing will come in at around £57bn this year, almost £15bn higher than the chancellor’s Budget prediction," said Jonathan Loynes at Capital Economics.
"And this is before the slowdown in the economy has really had much effect," he said.
From the Times , 18th July:
In his gloomiest assessment yet of the state of the British economy, Alistair Darling gave warning that the downturn was far more profound than he had thought and could last for years rather than months.
He revealed that he told Cabinet ministers this week that there would be no more money for schools, hospitals, defence, transport or policing.
He confirmed that the Treasury was considering revising its fiscal rules to allow more borrowing to deal with the economic problems. He said that he did not believe that voters, already struggling with higher food and fuel bills, would be willing to pay more tax."
(And just a couple of days ago he gave another £3Billon of OUR money to Northern Rock).
Get 'em out!
Central Government may have agreed to fund the road, but that was whilst the Government was getting us all deeper into debt.
Unnecessary spending now – as we enter a major recession, is nothing short of fiscal profligacy and irresponsibility… but why expect anything else from this bunch of clowns?
From today’s news:
http://news.bbc.co.u
k/1/hi/business/7513
309.stm
Public sector borrowing rose by more than expected in June, official figures have shown, suggesting the economic slowdown is hitting government coffers.
Public sector net borrowing (PSNB) was £9.16bn, a record amount for June and more than analyst forecasts of £7.4bn.
Borrowing so far this financial year has reached £24.4bn since April - the biggest quarterly figure since 1946.
"The figures are horrific, absolutely horrific," said Philip Shaw at Investec.
"The fiscal situation looks very unhealthy, especially if you take into account that economic growth is going to be considerably weaker than government estimates," he added.
The Budget forecast for net borrowing in the 2008 financial year was £43bn, with debt expected to be 38.5% of national income.
"At this rate of increase, borrowing will come in at around £57bn this year, almost £15bn higher than the chancellor’s Budget prediction," said Jonathan Loynes at Capital Economics.
"And this is before the slowdown in the economy has really had much effect," he said.
From the Times , 18th July:
In his gloomiest assessment yet of the state of the British economy, Alistair Darling gave warning that the downturn was far more profound than he had thought and could last for years rather than months.
He revealed that he told Cabinet ministers this week that there would be no more money for schools, hospitals, defence, transport or policing.
He confirmed that the Treasury was considering revising its fiscal rules to allow more borrowing to deal with the economic problems. He said that he did not believe that voters, already struggling with higher food and fuel bills, would be willing to pay more tax."
(And just a couple of days ago he gave another £3Billon of OUR money to Northern Rock).
Get 'em out!
Posted by: Perry Winkle, Weymouth on 7:30pm Thu 7 Aug 08
John, what has all that got to do with the relief road? What do you think you pay your car tax for? And I would hardly call it unnecassary spending - it is very necessary to allow this area a realistic economic future.
John, what has all that got to do with the relief road? What do you think you pay your car tax for? And I would hardly call it unnecassary spending - it is very necessary to allow this area a realistic economic future.
Posted by: John, Weymouth on 8:18pm Thu 7 Aug 08
PW. There is no such thing as car tax, nor indeed road tax.
There is however a large pot of money raised from taxation and borrowing; and there is also a list of spending priorities- such as health, education - that are suffering from a lack of funding (in real terms.
My point was that - just as in any household budget when the going gets tough - spending should be spent on real priorities.
The proposed road doesn't come close to being a real priority.
PW. There is no such thing as car tax, nor indeed road tax.
There is however a large pot of money raised from taxation and borrowing; and there is also a list of spending priorities- such as health, education - that are suffering from a lack of funding (in real terms.
My point was that - just as in any household budget when the going gets tough - spending should be spent on real priorities.
The proposed road doesn't come close to being a real priority.
Posted by: John, Weymouth on 8:23pm Thu 7 Aug 08
PS. Actually the road is a priority ..... for Knight .... as I imagine that believes it will gain him votes.
In my eyes, that merely compounds the folly.
PS. Actually the road is a priority ..... for Knight .... as I imagine that believes it will gain him votes.
In my eyes, that merely compounds the folly.
Posted by: MIG, Poole on 8:54pm Thu 7 Aug 08
[quote][bold]Perry Winkle[/bold] wrote:
John, what has all that got to do with the relief road? What do you think you pay your car tax for? And I would hardly call it unnecassary spending - it is very necessary to allow this area a realistic economic future. [/quote] Now called Vehicle Excise Duty. Road Fund tax ceased to exist about 60 years ago.
I still call it Road Rent though!
As John points out there are problems with money at the moment, blamed on the so called Credit squeeze. However when one considers that the bloke who was running the treasury, fairly successfully, for years, is now theoretically running the country with a Chancellor using different fiscal policies to those he introduced, then maybe they will 'run out of money'
Perry Winkle wrote:
John, what has all that got to do with the relief road? What do you think you pay your car tax for? And I would hardly call it unnecassary spending - it is very necessary to allow this area a realistic economic future.
Now called Vehicle Excise Duty. Road Fund tax ceased to exist about 60 years ago.
I still call it Road Rent though!
As John points out there are problems with money at the moment, blamed on the so called Credit squeeze. However when one considers that the bloke who was running the treasury, fairly successfully, for years, is now theoretically running the country with a Chancellor using different fiscal policies to those he introduced, then maybe they will 'run out of money'
Posted by: DingDonG, Wilds of Wiltshire on 9:00pm Thu 7 Aug 08
[quote]Weymouth relief road project manager Matthew Piles explained that Dorset County Council was in a Catch 22 situation'.[/quote] Looks like Matthew Piles has a job for life. The alleged "soon to come" relief road (or bypass as it is often called) has been under discussion (sorry..dispute) since I left town in an Austin 7.
Does anyone seriously think the first s0d will be dug before the planet runs out of petrol?
If so, I'll keep a couple of gallon of 4* in the tank.
Weymouth relief road project manager Matthew Piles explained that Dorset County Council was in a Catch 22 situation'.
Looks like Matthew Piles has a job for life. The alleged "soon to come" relief road (or bypass as it is often called) has been under discussion (sorry..dispute) since I left town in an Austin 7.
Does anyone seriously think the first s0d will be dug before the planet runs out of petrol?
If so, I'll keep a couple of gallon of 4* in the tank.
Posted by: Leo, weymouth on Fri 8 Aug 08
[quote]Posted by: Perry Winkle, John, what has all that got to do with the relief road? What do you think you pay your car tax for[/quote] How about the war in Iraq for instance?
Posted by: Perry Winkle, John, what has all that got to do with the relief road? What do you think you pay your car tax for
How about the war in Iraq for instance?
Posted by: Mikeman, Portland on 12:27pm Fri 8 Aug 08
[quote][bold]John[/bold] wrote:
PW. There is no such thing as car tax, nor indeed road tax. There is however a large pot of money raised from taxation and borrowing; and there is also a list of spending priorities- such as health, education - that are suffering from a lack of funding (in real terms. My point was that - just as in any household budget when the going gets tough - spending should be spent on real priorities. The proposed road doesn't come close to being a real priority. [/quote] John[bold]bold[/bold]
You do love splitting hairs don’t you everybody knows how the system works but as far as I & most other people are concerned that little coloured disc in the windscreen is road tax, paid for the privilege (if you can call it that) of using the public highway, to cover up the fact that the money is not spent on the roads it goes into the government purse & some of it is redirected from there for our roads. I don’t care what you or anybody else calls it to me it is road tax & always will be.
As for all that other garbage about the country being broke do you really think that a few million spent on our little relief road is going to make any difference, if you look around the country you will see billions being spent on roads & things?. Dorset has the worst & most neglected roads in the country, how many counties are their without a motorway?.
John wrote:
PW. There is no such thing as car tax, nor indeed road tax. There is however a large pot of money raised from taxation and borrowing; and there is also a list of spending priorities- such as health, education - that are suffering from a lack of funding (in real terms. My point was that - just as in any household budget when the going gets tough - spending should be spent on real priorities. The proposed road doesn't come close to being a real priority.
John
You do love splitting hairs don’t you everybody knows how the system works but as far as I & most other people are concerned that little coloured disc in the windscreen is road tax, paid for the privilege (if you can call it that) of using the public highway, to cover up the fact that the money is not spent on the roads it goes into the government purse & some of it is redirected from there for our roads. I don’t care what you or anybody else calls it to me it is road tax & always will be.
As for all that other garbage about the country being broke do you really think that a few million spent on our little relief road is going to make any difference, if you look around the country you will see billions being spent on roads & things?. Dorset has the worst & most neglected roads in the country, how many counties are their without a motorway?.
What are these links for?
If you liked this article and would like to share it with others on the web who might be searching for good content we've made it easy for you to do it.
At the bottom of all articles, you'll see links to six sites. These sites - commonly called 'social bookmark' or 'social news' sites - have large communities of web users who share and rate interesting, useful and fun things on the web.
Clicking the links will automatically add the address of the story you are reading to one of these sites, letting you share it with others. Each site will ask you to register to share stories. Registration is free and once a member, you can store, recommend and search for stories that interest you.
More on Digg
More on del.icio.us
More on Furl
More on reddit
More on NowPublic/
More on Yahoo!
