THE state of Dorset’s road network is the county’s biggest barrier to economic growth, businesses said.

Roads came ahead of skills shortages as the main factor holding back productivity, according to delegates at the first business conference to be held by Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).

The event was aimed at involving business in building on the county’s strengths and improving its productivity and earning power.

Transport links were cited as the number one brake on growth, followed by recruitment, housing and broadband. When delegates were asked what could be done to improve investment into Dorset, improving physical infrastructure and workforce skills were the top two priorities.

Dorset LEP chairman Jim Stewart said: “A lot of people were concerned about transport links. Our survey said this was the biggest impediment to growth in business in Dorset.

“That reinforces that message that those are the factors that business and organisations think are holding Dorset back. To be honest, if you spoke to most other LEPs you’d probably hear the same story.”

Transport issues including congestion along the A354 corridor on Boot Hill and through Wyke Regis is a big issue in Weymouth and Portland.

There's strong support for the Western Route relief road linking Chickerell and Ferrybridge (Jurassic Coast Highway) although there are environmental concerns and huge costs are involved. But businesses including Portland Port are keen to keep it on the agenda.

The LEP, which brings together the public and private sectors to bid for government grants, has so far secured £234 million for growth and regeneration, as well as £79.4m from the EU’s European Structural and Investment Fund. It says it has leveraged £254m of private investment.

However there has been concern in the past that much of Dorset's regeneration money secured by the LEP goes to the east of the county.

Mr Stewart said the LEP had been campaigning with MPs and councils in three counties for improvements to the roads north out of Dorset.

“We really do need to try and establish a more effective route north from the conurbation up the county to the M4,” he said.

He added: “The key is for businesses, political leaders and key organisations to work together with Dorset LEP in order to achieve a higher level of government funding, improve infrastructure and generate greater opportunities for Dorset.”

At the conference, Mr Stewart outlined Dorset LEP’s ambition and vision for Dorset. Set in the context of Dorset’s economic productivity being £2.5 billion below the national average, Dorset LEP focused on the need to boost the region’s productivity and earning power by building on its strengths, keeping employment high and making Dorset more innovative and competitive.

Dorset LEP’s Business Forum was also launched at the event - a new business community group aimed at strengthening the voice and representation of business within Dorset LEP.