Weymouth Olympics traffic plan sails ahead (From Dorset Echo)

Weymouth Olympics traffic plan sails ahead

12:00pm Wednesday 18th January 2012 in News By Miriam Phillips

OLYMPIC transport plans have been finalised for pedestrian routes, park and ride sites and parking during the games this summer.

As already reported in the Echo, the plans will be put in place in order to allow an extra 30,000 visitors and residents to move easily to their destinations.

But the plans mean that residents and visitors staying in Weymouth are advised to walk or cycle to ease the car congestion.

Plans for Weymouth town centre will include a closure on the Esplanade, Westham Road and part of King Street between 10am and 10pm and restricted access to the harbour area.

Designated “Games Lanes” which will be used in London to move athletes and officials are not planned for Dorset.

However a designated Olympic route network will keep the traffic flowing so some of the roads along the A354 in Weymouth will remain clear during the Games.

That will mean no stopping, waiting or parking in these areas during the Olympic period.

Dorset roads will be open and kept moving throughout the Games through a number of measures including traffic monitoring through the Dorset Traffic Control Centre and five dedicated park and ride sites which will make the journey into Weymouth much easier for visitors.

A spokesperson for Dorset County Council confirmed that five designated walking routes from the train station and from bus drop off points at the Swannery transport hub.

Dorset Olympic board chairman Angus Campbell said: “Hosting the Olympic sailing events is a unique opportunity for Weymouth and Portland, and Dorset is gearing up to welcome the world’s largest sporting spectacle. We are working closely with all agencies to make sure visitors have the best experience they can.

“Ensuring visitors, residents and businesses are able to move around the county is a priority for us and we have invested heavily in the transport network.”

Plans include five designated walking routes from the train station and from bus drop off points at the Swannery transport hub.

Residents and visitors will benefit from around 400 temporary cycle parking spaces during the Games. Secure cycle parking is planned, including on Westham Bridge, The Nothe and Brunswick Terrace.

To cope with the demand local cycle hire will be available during the Games both in town and from park and ride sites.

A council spokesperson said that these walking routes are designed to allow visitors and residents to move easily to their destinations, aided by a team of 150 ambassadors who will be on hand to direct visitors, signposting them to the live site on Weymouth Beach as well as other local attractions and facilities.

The county council’s roads and traffic manager for 2012 Matthew Piles said: “All transport measures are designed to promote safe, secure and efficient travel. As well as minimising the impacts of Games time traffic on local residents and businesses.

“With the number of daily visitors expected to rise by around 30,000 during Games time, it is inevitable that routes in and around Weymouth town centre will be affected.

“Residents and visitors staying in the area will be encouraged to use public transport, walk or cycle.”

Short stay car parking will be available to residents in the town centre during Games time however spaces will be limited. The town, Esplanade and seafront will be fully accessible on foot.

• HOTELIERS in Weymouth are concerned that the new transport plans will mean tourists will stay away during the Olympics.

Chairman of the Weymouth Hoteliers Guesthouse Leaseholders Association Dave Price said: “Our concern is that people coming to the area, especially The Esplanade won’t be able to use their cars.

“For us that’s a big thing because the majority of people coming here need it.

“Of course we realise that the plans must be sorted out to ease the traffic.

“But the public conception is that hoteliers will be raking it in come the Olympics and that is simply not true.”

Mr Price said that he has only had two bookings for the Olympic period for his guesthouse and that it is a worrying situation.

• Transport changes from July 27 to August 12, 2012: The Esplanade, Westham Road and part of King Street will be closed to traffic between 10am - 10pm; Part of Radipole Park Drive (from the tennis courts to Swannery car park) will be closed to traffic 24/7; Access to the harbour area will be extremely restricted; Cycle parking will be available at Westham Bridge, The Nothe and Brunswick Terrace; Five dedicated park and ride sites will be available along the Dorchester to Weymouth corridor, using 60–120 buses to transport visitors in and out of Weymouth.

• Five pedestrian routes for ticketed spectators: Route 1: Swannery transport hub to Nothe Ticketed venue (via Westham Rd, St Thomas St, Town Bridge, Trinity Rd, Hope Square and Barrack Rd); Route 2: Weymouth Train Station to Nothe Ticketed venue (via King Stt, Esplanade, St Thomas St, Town Bridge, Trinity Rd, Hope Square and Barrack Rd); Beach live site – non ticketed; Route 3: Swannery transport hub (via Westham Rd, St Thomas St, Bond St); Route 4: Weymouth train station (via King St, Esplanade); Route 5: Preston Beach Road car park (via Greenhill, Esplanade).