Weymouth Relief Road: A ‘momentous occasion' for the town

Eager motorists started queuing at the Manor Roundabout up to an hour before the cones were finally lifted and drivers were given the go-ahead.

Dorchester Road and others streets around it became so clogged that police had to turn vehicles away until the carriageway was ready.

It finally opened just before 3pm yesterday with no official launch ceremony but the sound of vehicle horns provided an impromptu fanfare as jubilant drivers, motorcycle riders and cyclists pressed forward, led by police.

Traffic was reduced to a crawl as thousands of vehicles, including many road ‘tourists’ wanting to see the new carriageway for themselves, joined the new A354.

It was particularly slow around Littlemoor, because of temporary traffic lights on Littlemoor Road, and northbound on the Ridgeway where the crawler lane merges.

On the verges at the side of the new road it was a very British affair as residents turned up to witness the historic occasion. Some brought chairs and sandwiches and took photographs.

Calls have been made to build a relief road for more than 60 years. After decades of campaigning the 3.75 mile carriageway from Manor Roundabout to the Ridgeway was finally given the go-ahead in 2008.

The £89million project, which also includes a park and ride scheme, improvements to other roads, footpaths and cycleways is a Dorset County Council scheme built by Skanska. There is still a few months of work left to do.

As the relief road opened, Dorchester Road was closed at its northern end to allow work to progress on a new relief road junction at Bincombe.

Although there was no opening ceremony yesterday – Princess Anne toured the road at the end of last year when it was supposed to be ready – Mayor of Weymouth and Portland Paul Kimber turned up at Manor Roundabout in his regalia.

Coun Kimber stopped off while on the way to an engagement at a school.

He said: “It’s a momentous occasion to see the road open. I’ve been on the council since 1982 and calls were made back then to get the road built.

“It has cost a lot of money but the time it will cut off journeys will be phenomenal which will be good for people travelling in and out of town and the local economy.”

Coun Kimber said he was not disappointed there was no opening ceremony.

He said: “People are exasperated and want action. They’ve had to put up with a year of road improvements linked with the transport package.

“The celebration is that people can start using the road and reap the benefits it will bring to the area.”

The first person to experience the new road from the Weymouth direction was 67-year-old Len Edwards from Chickerell, riding his Harley Davidson.

He said: “It was great to be first on and it’s a lovely road to ride a bike on. I have lived in Weymouth all my life and for as long as I can remember there has been talk of a relief road. I do a lot of riding on my Harley and it was a lovely day to ride up the road towards Dorchester. There were a lot of cars as everyone seemed to want to see the new road.”

Cyclist Nick Crabb, 49, from Wyke Regis, was among the first on the road.

He said: “I left work early especially. It’s an historic event which has been years in the planning.”

The first motorist joining the road from manor Roundabout was Susan Thompson, 56, of Wyke Regis, in her Vauxhall Agila.

Former taxi driver Susan was determined to drive the first car on the road and was first in the queue at Manor Roundabout.

She said: “We’ve been waiting so long for this. It was really exciting as we queued up to get on it.”

There were some classy-looking cars to be seen on the road. Carle Grahame turned up in a 1935 Beardmore Landaulette Paramount 4, a former London taxi.

Meanwhile, Anton Harler drove his Rover P4 100 dating from 1960.

Greenway Road residents Bob and Gina Taylor were delighted to see the road open at last.

Bob said: “We’re disappointed we don’t have the sea views from our house anymore now they’ve put up barriers at the roundabout. We can’t hear the traffic as much although the noise of the trains seems to have got louder.

“Skanska have been very good during the construction works.”

His wife added: “There’s so many reasons why this new road was needed. We’re very glad it’s open.”

Dorchester Road resident Justin Butler, 37, said: “It’s been a long time coming. I’m looking forward to some peace and quiet.”

But not welcoming the road is Roger Manicom, 67, of Littlemoor, who said: “I think it will just move the traffic jam from one place to another. I’d like to be proved wrong but I don’t think it will make a difference.”

Pam Nixon, the Weymouth and Portland councillor for the Wey Valley ward, said: “Seeing the road open was an emotional moment. It’s been an issue ever since I came here 45 years ago.

“People will be overjoyed.”

Also out to se the road were Ann and Will Donnelly who took their dog Patsy out for walk on Southdown Ridge.

The couple, whose house in Kestrel View at Littlemoor backs on to the new road, moved in a year ago.

Ann, 68, said: “We’re absolutely delighted. It’s the best move we ever made. We can hardly hear the road from our front door.

“You do lose your bearings a bit on the new road but it’s wonderful it’s finally here.”