Proposals for a western relief road are firmly back on the agenda as key players prepare to come together for a conference to discuss the way forward.

Plans for the congestion-busting route, which has been renamed the Jurassic Coast Highway, have long been in the pipeline.

It was controversially dropped from the county council’s economic growth plan due to the huge cost and visual impact of the scheme as it would run near the sensitive Fleet Nature Reserve.

The route would link the A354 at Ferrybridge with the B3157 Chickerell Road at the Link Road junction, bypassing the A354 through built-up areas including Wyke and Boot Hill.

There is renewed support for the scheme with council chiefs, businesses and the wider community saying it will benefit Weymouth and Portland and the greater Dorset area.

Advocates say it is also necessary to meet the rising tourist demand due to the growth of Portland Port as a major cruise ship destination and the proposed joint Jurassica/MEMO project on the island.

The invite-only conference, due to take place in Dorchester on November 10, is designed to reignite the debate and discuss the environmental, economic impact of the scheme as well as the social opportunities and challenges of such a project.

Speakers will include the chief executive of Portland Port Bill Reeves, leader of Dorset County Council Rebecca Knox, and president of Weymouth and Portland Chamber of Commerce Andrew Knowles.

The conference will include several presentations from a range of perspectives along with discussion of the true cost of building the route.

South Dorset MP Richard Drax said: “There is no doubt in my mind, and I think in most people’s minds, that if we are going to create more jobs and attract more business to Weymouth and Portland, we need better road infrastructure.

“I know there are concerns about damage to the environment, but the plan is to work with everybody and ensure damage is limited.

“Road improvements are always tricky in Dorset – no one wants a motorway – but we have to have something for people to get into Weymouth without causing congestion and, of course, pollution for residents.

“This is what we need and I don’t think we can ignore it any more. Boot Hill is particularly jammed and (Portland) port is expecting more and more commercial traffic over the coming years.”

The road project was moved off the agenda by Dorset County County due to its visual impact and the huge cost as sections would have to be tunnelled to avoid encroaching on the Fleet Nature Reserve.

Leader of Weymouth and Portland Borough Council Jeff Cant said: “We tried very hard in the past to get the county council to give the route serious consideration and approach the Department of Transport.

“Unfortunately, the argument at the time was that there was not significant signs of substantial investment growth in Portland to so it fell into the abyss.

"Since then, we have had some significant improvements and substantial business plans in the area and we are back on course. It is all very positive at the moment – this is a new era for the borough.”