A PROTEST was held on Saturday against the controversial new traffic light junction next to the Asda supermarket in Weymouth.

Drivers honked their horns in support as pranksters held up banners and a woman dressed in a fancy dress police uniform pretended to direct traffic from the centre of the former roundabout.

The harbour crossroads junction has courted controversy since it was finished as part of the £16million transformation of the town centre roundabouts into traffic lights.

Drivers have labelled the new harbourside junction a ‘deathtrap’ with many feeling confused as to when they can turn right or left coming from both Westwey Road and Boot Hill.

Natasha Hamilton, 35, of Greenhill, Weymouth, was dressed as the policeman.

She said: “It’s light-hearted but everybody has been moaning so we thought we would do something.

“A hideous amount of money has been spent on this and there was not much consultation – and everywhere else is looking at removing traffic lights and putting roundabouts in.”

The police did visit the protest on Saturday afternoon and spoke to the protesters to ensure nobody was at risk of an accident at the junction.

Mayor of Weymouth and Portland Paul Kimber stopped to chat with the 20 protesters and asked them to be careful not to get into any danger.

The harbour crossroads are part of a set of changes by Dorset County Council including the Westham junction next to the Swannery Bridge and the junctions at each end of King Street.

Protester Gary Freeman-Jones, 37, of Chapelhay Street, was among those blowing horns and trumpets at the traffic lights.

He said he felt the lights are aimed at giving priority to sailors during the Olympic games. He added: “The support from the drivers today has been brilliant. The junction is illogical.

“It’s confusing as hell and everybody is just left looking.”