A HEATED meeting about Olympic traffic plans on Portland erupted when concerns were raised about high bus prices, Parking issues and closed toilets.

Around 50 residents attended the event at Royal Manor Arts College, featuring presentations by Chris Hook of Travel Choice and Duncan Flint of the Weymouth and Portland 2012 Operations Team.

Six people walked out during the talks, each exclaiming ‘I’m not listening to this nonsense’, while more left during the break.

For the handful who stayed on, borough council senior licensing officer Jenna Rawle discussed illegal trading, while borough council officer Debbie Redding talked about measures to deter ambush marketing.

Duncan Flint, public relations manager for the Weymouth and Portland 2012 Operations Team, gave a round-up of preparations for the ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ event.

He said: “The Games are coming here whether you like it or not, you can do nothing about it and moan about it or do something about it and seize this opportunity.”

Mr Hook reassured residents there would be no road closures on Portland during the Games and said a Travel Dorset website would provide live travel updates.

He added: “Police security measures will be needed around the Olympic Village but there will be no changes to current parking or roads.

“There might be tweaks in Fortuneswell so lorries delivering to the Co-op have to pull off the road so they don’t hold up the traffic. Car parking at the Chesil Beach Centre will still be available and residents and visitors will be able to walk along both sides of Portland Beach Road.”

Mr Hook said £200 fines could be issued to drivers who flout the ‘no stopping, waiting or parking’ rules along the Olympic Route Network, which includes Westwey Road, Rodwell Road, Buxton Road and Portland Road.

He discussed travel restrictions to Weymouth seafront – between 10am and 10pm from July 27 to August 12 – when 60,000 visitors a day are expected to flock to the free Live Site on Weymouth beach and the Nothe ticketed area, plus the £120million investment into local roads.

Mr Hook urged islanders to leave their cars at home during the Games and take advantage of an increased number of ‘brand new’ double decker First buses, improved ticket machines and live bus updates – similar to those at train stations.

Mum-of-one Adele Stuart, of Weston, said: “The buses have just put their prices up again and local people can’t afford it. It will probably go up again for the Olympics.

“We need more buggy spaces on double decker buses. Forget the improvements, just drop the price and we’ll use the bus. The Olympic sailing is happening on Portland, yet there’s nowhere on Portland to see it.”

Retired John New, of Fortuneswell, said: “On-street parking isn’t adequate now, what’s going to happen when all the B&Bs and guesthouses are full and everyone’s relatives come down to visit?”

Paul Dawson, of Castletown Stores, said: “We no longer have public toilets at Castletown and Victoria Square, I get so embarrassed when the international sailors come and ask why our toilets are closed. It’s an absolute disgrace.”

For more information about local 2012 plans visit dorsetforyou.com/ london2012

SYMPATHY OVER TRANSPORT CONCERNS

ORGANISERS of the Olympics said they are ‘very sympathetic’ to people in Weymouth and Portland after concerns were expressed over transport plans during the Games.

Around 500 residents and businesses attended briefing sessions at Weymouth Pavilion Ocean Room to discuss the plans for the Games.

Matthew Piles, 2012 roads and traffic manager, said: “We are very sympathetic to local people and are listening to their views.

“We have to take into account the 75,000 people who live in and around the borough.

“We are working closely with the community to provide a safe and reliable transport system.”

As already reported in the Echo, the plans will be put in place to allow tens of thousands extra visitors each day and residents to move easily.

Council chiefs say it will be ‘business as unusual’, des-pite doubts express-ed by business owners over the closure of roads in Wey-mouth town centre, including The Esplanade, Westham Road, part of King Street between 10am-10pm and restricted access to the harbour area.

Mike Goodman, Weymouth and Portland Borough Council leader, said: “A number of key points were raised, and I’m confident that by working together we can make sure operations during the Games run as smoothly as possible given that it’ll be ‘businesses as unusual’.

Transport plans were announced on Tuesday, January 17 and Dorset County Council are delivering them on behalf of the Olympic Delivery Authority and LOCOG.

PLEDGE NOT TO INCREASE FARES

FIRST bus group have pledged not to increase fares for the Olympics. First Bus spokesman Karen Baxter said: “We’ve just reviewed our bus fares based on operational costs. We have no plans to review fares again for the Olympics over and above what they’ve been reviewed at.”

Greg Northcote, head of estates at Weymouth and Portland Borough Council, said: “A decision was made to close toilets at the Lord Clyde car park and Castletown in 2009. The reasoning was that there were alternative facilities available. There are no plans to re-open them. There are seven council-run public toilets on Portland.”

BUSTING THE MYTHS

• Portland Beach Road will not be closed.

• Parking will be available in Weymouth town centre for local residents and businesses but will be limited.

• Access to the harbour area will be restricted but can be accessed by those living and working in the area.

• Residents and businesses in the town centre with current parking permits will have parking provision, however spaces will be in a designated area or car park.

n Blue Badge holders will have parking in a designated car park within the town centre.