PORTLAND'S mayor is calling for the island to make its own traffic, road safety and parking decisions.

Councillor Tim Munro wants Weymouth and Portland Borough Council to transfer its powers so that decisions reflect the needs and preferences of those living on Portland'.

He will put forward a notice of motion at a meeting of the borough council tomorow.

The motion says: "Decisions that directly affect communities' lives and wellbeing are a matter for that community to decide and prioritise."

It calls for management of car parks, including the setting of fees and charges, to be transferred to Portland Town Council.

It also proposes the town takes over managing traffic and road safety, including on-street parking, yellow lines, traffic calming, crossing points and speed limits.

Coun Munro also wants the island to decide on its own street names. He said the change would stop car parking charges being imposed in unsuitable places and allow the island to cater better for its growing population.

He said: "The problem is that someone living in Weymouth often has no idea of the day-to-day problems in parts of Portland such as Underhill.

"The final arrangements for this are under negotiation but ideally we would collect any car parking revenue and Dorset County Council money for traffic management schemes would be redirected from the borough council to the town council."

Car parks that currently operate charges in Portland include those at Chiswell, Easton, Castletown and Portland Bill.

Coun Christine James, spokesman for transport and infrastructure, is backing the change. She said: "We have been listening to what has been said and I think it is right we should begin talks to discuss the principles of how this might be put in place."

Coun Munro said one idea he was keen to introduce was the opening of Incline Road to ease congestion in Fortuneswell.

But Coun James said: "It's a non-starter. Portland Port would not agree to it on security grounds and the county council does not have the millions of pounds to bring it up to Department of Transport standards."

After Thursday's meeting the motion will be considered by a council committee.