ORGANISERS of the Ironman triathlon and Dorset County Council have vowed to make improvements to avoid a repeat of this year's road chaos.

It came as DCC held a 'call to account' meeting which heard from organisers, police, members of the public and councillors about their thoughts on the event in Weymouth.

Although providing a major sporting spectacle and boosting the economy, this year's event led to a barrage of complaints due to widespread disruption.

It was revealed at the meeting that two of the companies due to provide marshals for Ironman pulled out just before the event.

Suggested ideas for improvement were discussed including producing a detailed communication plan, ensuring that all control centres work together, producing a Memorandum of Understanding, and practices and training reviewed and refreshed.

Although the meeting was held as part of a DCC Audit and Governance committee which is open to the public, members of the public and press were excluded from the second half of the discussion when a series of recommendations to DCC's cabinet were discussed.

These recommendations have not been finalised, however committee chairman Cllr Trevor Jones said afterwards: "There were clear issues this year and in the previous two years when the event was badged as Challenge Weymouth.

"Both the local authorities and Ironman themselves accept that improvements have to be made in the organisation and the management of the event and will be working together to agree what these improvements should be to ensure that they are implemented. But it is for the council's cabinet to take the final decision in January."

The main issues highlighted at the meeting were signage problems, lack of communication between organisers, communities and marshals, and the lack of knowledge of the marshals who had been hired from other areas and knew little to nothing of the area.

The council and organisers previously apologised after motorists experienced lengthy delays on numerous roads during the event in September.

Despite the issues, both remain positive over the triathlon, which is set to return next year, although it will not include the longer 140.6 mile option.

Alan Rose, race director, admitted that a key contributing factor to the traffic problems was due to marshalling. He explained that although three companies had been hired to assist with the marshalling, 10 days prior to race day two of the companies pulled out.

He said: "The quality of the marshalling was not what we were hoping for."

He added that one major change to next year's triathlon is that only Ironman 70.3 will be offered, meaning roads could re-open as early as 10.15am.

Mr Rose said the race had a 'very unexpected impact' on the A35 this year. He added the race route will not be going near the A352 in 2017.

Concerns were also raised about the warning of road closures.

Kevin Stuart, managing director of Ironman, explained that 70,000 letters were distributed to homes as well as information being circulated on Facebook, online and in the media.

Mr Stuart said: "The information went out there. How much impact that had on people is another question. But we do need to make sure more people are aware with what is happening.

"We used new routes in comparison to past events so there were new people who were coming in contact with this. People also need to be more aware of what Ironman is – which will happen as we continue to host it each year and people will become more familiar with it."

SPEAKING at the meeting, Richard Frampton Hobbs, who owns businesses in Moreton, said the event cost him £8,000 as drivers struggled to access the area because of the road closures.

A member of the public claimed the organisation of marshals in Charlton Down was "appalling".

She said: "Two of the marshals were from out of the area and didn't know where they were. The other two were from Dorset County Council and didn't know if they were in the right place or not.

"It was quite fortunate that someone – road user, spectator or competitor – wasn't killed."

Cllr David Mannings remained positive about the event but explained that there were significant problems in Preston and that the general organisation was "very poor".

Dorset County Council said a statement about the committee's recommendations would be released after the meeting. But this was not forthcoming yesterday as recommendations had not been finalised.

However a DCC spokesman said: "Moving forward the committee is eager to see strong and effective partnership working, leading to successful events for the benefit and prosperity of Dorset.

"After this morning’s useful and informative meeting, hearing views from the county council, Ironman, the police, Dorset Councils Partnership, and members of the public, the committee will report to the cabinet on January 18 with its key conclusions and recommendations."