A ROW is brewing over a council backtracking on plans to reopen the Town Bridge in Weymouth during Easter.

Dorset County Council is giving the bridge an overhaul and originally said it would open it to traffic for a week during the holidays to help traders.

But now it says doing that would be too ‘confusing’.

It says it has consulted with traders who are apparently happy with the move.

But business people based near the bridge contacted by the Echo said it was the first they had heard of the U-turn.

They are angry the promised respite is not happening.

The bridge remains open to pedestrians but some claim it is uninviting and a lack of signs gives the impression the area is out of bounds.

Landlord Pete Whittle, of the Sailor’s Return and the King’s Arms, said: “I don’t know anyone who’s been consulted.

“They say it’s not affected business but it’s affected mine.

“To get over the bridge you have to go through a tunnel of wood and walk past all that welding and people aren’t bothering. As a result we’ve seen a downturn in trade at the King’s Arms.”

Mr Whittle added: “When the bridge first closed I said they would keep it shut for Easter and it’ll be too late for us to do anything about it, and that’s exactly what’s happened.

“I’ve given up believing anything the council says.”

Manager at the Marlboro Restaurant Shaun Hatton said: “The bridge walkway looks tatty and uninviting.”

He added: “We’ve been busy when the sun is shining but at other times it’s quieter than normal. The fact the bridge won’t be opening for Easter will not do us any favours.”

Keith Treggiden of the Rendezvous nightclub is gearing up for opening weekend after a refurbishment.

He said: “We’ve been closed up until now so it’s not been an issue.

“We’ve not been consulted and to hear the bridge is not opening for Easter is a really bad move.”

Geoff Tizzard-King who runs the T Shop in Trinity Street said: “As long as people know it’s open to pedestrians. It’s confusing because it looks like the bridge is shut.”

Shaun Hennessy of Blondz in St Edmund Street said: “I’m gobsmacked.

“It’s like the council doesn’t care about this town.”

Steve Hayter of Crosby Carpets in St Edmund Street said: “Fewer people are passing this way because the bus is re-routed.”

AGREEMENT WITH TRADERS AFTER TALKS

DORSET County Council has reassessed its plans for the Town Bridge.

The refurbishment began on March 5 and is due to finish on May 20. It was intended to open the bridge to traffic from April 7-15.

A spokesman said: “Following consultation and discussion with traders, Weymouth and Portland Borough Council, bus and taxi companies it has been agreed that re-opening for such a limited time would cause more disruption and confusion than simply keeping the diversion in place and continuing with the works.

“Some of the traders who expressed concerns have been consulted, and have said their businesses had been running smoothly with the diversion in place.

“Traders who were consulted have said the works aren’t as problematic as they had anticipated and the pedestrian access across the bridge has prevented any dramatic effect to trade.”

Head of highways management Mike Winter said: “We feel it would be more inconvenient to re-open and, a few days later, re-close the bridge.”

The lifting schedule for boats will remain as normal.