THIS week marks the first anniversary of the 2012 Olympics - which included the sailing events off Weymouth and Portland.

We are looking back at the 2012 Olympics but also the legacy of the Games - how much of an impact they made and how much of a long term benefit the area has seen.

Local Olympians will also be sharing their memories on the anniversary of their sporting triumphs.

Today we focus on transport and infrastructure and tomorrow we will carrying some of your memories of the 2012 Games and thoughts on their legacy.

TENS of millions of pounds were spent on transport projects in the build up to the Olympics in Weymouth and Portland.

But not all schemes have been welcomed as bringing a long term benefit to the borough - including replacing roundabouts with the £15.5m 'Olympic traffic lights'.

The £89 million Weymouth relief road scheme was already in the pipeline but many felt it would not have happened if it wasn't for the Games.

Other projects included new broadband links, bus and rail improvements and the Mount Pleasant park and ride.

Many locals have blasted the expensive overhaul and hailed the £15.5m transport package with its intelligent traffic-light system a 'waste of money'.

They have criticised the replacement of roundabouts with 'too many' traffic lights which they say have created 'dangerous junctions' and increased congestion.

Roundabouts converted included those on the harbourside near Asda, and either side of the Swannery bridge.

Traffic lights replaced mini roundabouts at the top of King Street on the seafront as well as on Boot Hill - which also resulted in a shake-up of some road systems.

Portland resident Simon Avery blasted the lack of transport legacy in the borough.

He said: “Has there been a transport legacy left?

“Bring back the old system and let's just forget that we had to suffer the nightmare of the Olympic changes.”

He blasted congestion between Portland and Weymouth and changes at the Boot Hill junction as well as those on Chickerell Road.

Shopkeeper Peter Blakey, who runs Broadwey Village Stores on Dorchester Road, said: “There is a positive transport legacy apart from the traffic lights.

“Many of us would prefer to see the roundabouts back.

““The relief road has proved to be a success.

“The changes have benefited our business on the Dorchester Road because people can now stop and park.”

Resident Marilynn Wilson said: “There are too many sets of lights on top of one another which cause traffic jams and dangerous junctions, the roundabouts used to flow with no problems.

“I think the changes were a waste of money.”

A spokesman for Streetcars Taxis said: “The holiday makers are finally here but they won't return if nothing is done about this traffic on the seafront.

“We have cars gridlocked most afternoons and we now have a subway that isn't used going under King Street due to the pedestrian crossings which replaced the two traffic lanes.”

Resident Dave Saez said: “The traffic lights were a waste of money, maintenance, electricity and time and they are a death risk.”

Council chiefs said the overhaul was necessary for the Games as well as the relief road.

Miles Butler, director of environment for Dorset County Council, said: “Some aspects of the transport package meant that we had to tear the town apart.

“People need to understand if you take congestion away and put in a relief road the traffic then has to be managed in the town centre when it gets there.”

He added that in the post project appraisal travel times and congestion had been found to have both been reduced.

Borough Councillor Christine James, spokeswoman for transport and infrastructure, said: “There are still a lot of people who do not like the transport system.

“Many complain about congestion around Boot Hill and the King Street junction, both of these aimed at directing traffic away from the town.

“Many tell me they want the ring roads back but I prefer the improvements and Weymouth Relief Road is absolutely brilliant.”

She added: “I sympathise with those traders who were affected by the roadworks.

“This is an issue for the county council who really need to be lobbying for the traders to get some compensation.”

Ian Ferguson of Weyline Taxis, said: “I feel that the improvements have brought in lots of aesthetic benefits and notwithstanding the junction at Asda, traffic flows are much improved.”

Mark Blunden, president of Weymouth and Portland Chamber of Commerce, said: “The removal of the roundabouts in favour of traffic lights is not very popular especially the Asda lights which are 'entertaining' to travel through at times.

“Any delay such as the recent road works on Boot Hill will always cause frustration at peak times though and without some other improvements is unlikely to change.”

He added: ““I very much think the relief road has been a great success.

“Getting in and out of Weymouth is much improved.”

Long lasting Legacy

COUNCIL chiefs claim the transport overhaul has provided a 'long lasting legacy' for the borough.

Miles Butler, director of environment for Dorset County Council, revealed that more than 20 years of work and funding was invested into transport projects ahead of the Games.

Many schemes were already in the pipeline but given extra impetus by the Olympics or scheduled to finish in time for the Games.

Mr Butler said: “Everyone wanted the transport scheme for years and the Olympics provided the reason to go ahead.

“Hosting the Olympics meant that the borough has benefited from extra government funding and almost 20 years of work.

“The relief road has been universally welcomed and all the changes are a long lasting legacy for Weymouth and Portland.”

Organisers hoped the overhaul would ease congestion during the Games but predicted levels of traffic into the resort proved lower than expected.

Bus Services boosted

THE £15.5m transport package also included a £4 million investment in new bus services with bus stops and real time bus and car park information.

A spokeswoman for First Bus said: “The investment in infrastructure around public transport was very welcome and will continue to help improve the passenger experience for years to come.”

PANEL AN Echo investigation carried out in May 2012 revealed that more than half the buses serving Weymouth's 'Mount Pleasant' park and ride site were running with no passengers.

Although Dorset County Council said this year would be first test of how the scheme is faring.

Miles Butler, environment director for Dorset County Council admitted that park and ride initiatives 'notoriously' take a few years to get going.

PANEL NEARLY 6,000 homes and businesses on Portland were the first to benefit from the BT roll-out of superfast broadband ahead of the Games.

British Telecom (BT) bosses hailed it as an early legacy of the Olympic sailing events.

West Dorset MP Oliver Letwin said he has 'no doubt' that the infrastructure installed for the Olympics has made it easier for BT to provide Dorset with 97 per cent coverage of high speed broadband.

He said:"The rural broadband contract that has recently been signed doesn't have anything specifically to do with the Olympics.

“But I have no doubt that the infrastructure installed for the Olympics has made it easier for BT to provide Dorset with 97 per cent coverage of high speed broadband.”

The £31.75 million deal, agreed between Dorset County Council and BT, will see it rolled out across Dorset within three and a half years.

Get in touch

Do you think the transport legacy is good? Was it not wortht he pain? Let us know by leaving your comment below and email any photos of memories of the Olympics to emma.walker@dorsetecho.co.uk