Plans to build a western relief road linking Wyke Regis and Chickerell have taken a back seat.

Ideas for the congestion-busting route, named the Jurassic Coast Highway, have been in the pipeline for many years but without any financial commitment.

Key industry players, including councillors and local traders, came together for the first time at a conference in November to engage in talks over how the scheme could lead to economic and social growth in the area.

Advocates have said the road, which would cost hundreds of millions of pounds to build, is necessary to meet rising tourist and business demands – including the growth of Portland Port – as well as providing relief to the congested A354 corridor.

But in a recent Dorset County Council response to the Department for Transport Major Roads Network (MRN) plan, which proposes that 5,000 miles of A roads are brought into scope for new funding from the National Roads Fund for upgrades and improvements, council chiefs did not include the western route as a potential scheme.

Upgrade schemes which could be considered are bypasses, missing links between existing routes, road widening, major junction improvements and the use of technological and safety enhancements along stretches of the network.

Bill Reeves, chief executive of Portland Port, said: “I am disappointed that they have not included it in their response to the Department for Transport.

“It’s not just about the port, it’s about other business interests in the area and the local community who will all benefit from it.

“We’ll move this forward step by step. I’m hoping there’s going to be enough local support to keep up the momentum."

Andrew Knowles, president of the Weymouth and Portland Chamber of Commerce, also expressed disappointment about the announcement.

He stressed that a western relief road was important to address the growing commercial activity on Portland.

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.

The scheme has the support of both West Dorset MP Sir Oliver Letwin and South Dorset MP Richard Drax, who are still both keen to bring the plans forward.

Mr Drax said: “We need to get traffic out of the centre of Weymouth and more importantly, create better access to Portland Port which is expanding its commercial traffic.

"The demand for something to take the pressure off Boot Hill is something I have been talking about for seven years.

“We need a better road infrastructure so that heavy good vehicles can use an alternative route to Portland Port.

“I hope that the local authority will look at this very seriously.”

Councillor Jeff Cant, leader of Weymouth and Portland Borough Council, said that he was frustrated that the western route was not included in the plans.

However, he added that he was determined to bring forward plans for a scheme, adding that discussions were currently ongoing with Dorset County Council.

As previously reported by the Echo, roads across Dorset could benefit from a £100million cash injection from central government.

A spokesman for Dorset County Council confirmed discussions are ongoing with Portland Port and the Dorset Councils Partnership.