FEARS have been voiced that measures to improve safety at a controversial junction will make it worse.

Improvement works have been carried out on the mini roundabout at the junction of Wyke Road and Portland Road.

But borough councillors and a number of large vehicle companies have suggested that a build up of traffic and constrictions will not make crossing for pedestrians any easier or safer.

Jeff Cant, a local businessman and former council auditor, said: "Any scheme which genuinely improves the safety of the residents of Wyke Regis and reduces traffic noise and air pollution is welcome, however this alteration could dramatically increase the noise and air pollution from slow moving and congested traffic."

As reported last December, Dorset County Council’s highways department is making £65,000 of improvements including a built-out section on Portland Road and an island crossing for pedestrians on Wyke Road.

The plans were developed as part of the Local Transport Plan in consultation with Weymouth and Portland Borough Council and members of All Saint’s Church.

The build-out will narrow part of Portland Road to about six metres and reduce motorists’ speed as a result.

Parking spaces adjacent to the church on the western side of Portland Road will remain in place under the scheme.

Cllr Ian Bruce said: “I don’t believe it makes Portland access any better, in fact it makes it worse and Portland already has problems getting large vehicles in and out of the area and to put any sort of restriction on the narrowest part of Portland is not a good idea.”

He suggested that a long term solution to such a problem would be to have the relief road on Portland road put back onto the road scheme.

Councillors Richard Kosior, Jane Hall and Claudia Webb and former councillor Alison Reed are concerned about HGV's diverting onto Boot Hill which is already a key issue because of vibration and fumes from large vehicles.

Briefholder for transport and infrastructure Cllr Christine James said that the pedestrian build out was on the cards for a while because residents were concerned about being able to cross the roads and while there were a lot of options put forward, this was what people wanted.

“People such as Stonefirms and Sunseekers had no problems with the build out.”

She added that while she supports the idea of a relief road, she believes that the council will not have funding for another ten years, therefore for the time being residents should make the best of the facilities provided and look for alternative routes around the town if they feel that they are being delayed.

Conversely pedestrians need to take responsibility and cross in areas where it is safe to do so and residents need to make allowances when driving through areas if the traffic is built up or if there is a wedding or a funeral nearby which creates a congregation.

However praises have been sung over the improved road markings on the mini roundabout at the junction of Wyke Road and Portland Road.