IT’S the end of the road for a long-awaited relief route to bypass Wyke Regis and help boost Weymouth and Portland’s economy.

Moves to safeguard the path of the Western Route from Ferrybridge to Chickerell have been thwarted after Dorset County Council said the scheme was unlikely to get permission due to a lack of funding, engineering difficulties and the effect on the sensitive Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site and the Fleet.

While there remains an aspiration to relieve the congested A354 corridor through Rodwell and Wyke, council chiefs say this is more than a decade away and would not take the form of a Western Route along the Fleet to Ferrybridge.

The comments come as Weymouth and Portland Borough Council planning officers recommend approval for new development at the Ferrybridge Inn despite a campaign to save the pub. Road supporters say allowing development here would stop the chances of the Western Route road ever being built.

But councillors have been advised by Dorset County Council this road will not get built.

The Western Route was included in the 2005 local plan and is the ‘missing link’ in a network that includes the Weymouth relief road and Chickerell link road.

But planning officer Chris Moscrop says in a report the ‘legitimacy of the safeguarded route’ has been questioned. DCC says it is not possible to reserve the route for reasons relating to funding and environmental designations, although it hasn’t ruled out A354 improvements in future, but not until at least 2026.

It says if it blocked development at Ferrybridge to protect the route it could be landed with a bill for ‘millions’ to compensate the landowner for the development value of the land.

Calls have been made for years to improve access to Portland and Portland Port, which is enjoying a cruise ship boom, is among Western Route supporters.

A spokesman said: “We would like a proper assessment of the need for the Western Route, bearing in mind the opportunities that are arising on Portland, before any decision is made on development at the Ferrybridge Inn.”

Commercial property developer Mickey Jones said: “We have to be realistic and if DCC is saying there’s no budget and there's other issues that’s the closest we’re going to get to be told it’s never going to happen.

"The problem is I can’t see any other solution. But even if there was, there’s no money; it’s a dreadful shame.”

 

Pub redevelopment gets thumbs up from council officers - but councillors will have final say next week

TWO alternative schemes for development at the Ferrybridge Inn at Wyke Regis are being recommended for approval at the borough's planning committee next Wednesday. This is subject to conditions and a section 106 agreement being worked out.

A 530-signature petition has been collected to save the 'popular community pub and historical asset' from development, and more than 320 letters have been written although they are all of a standard format.

The plans by Ferrybridge Developments LLP, one comprising 29 homes and pub/restaurant and one for a smaller scheme of 22 homes, have been put forward after the applicant took into account comments about design and size made by a planning inspector who rejected a previous proposal on appeal.

The applicants state this is a 'well designed, high quality development at a gateway site' and the pub/restaurant would be a landmark building that would enhance the area's character.

Case officer Chris Moscrop says a 'complex set of issues' are associated with the development but he feels the applicant has responded 'positively' to the challenges.