I REFER to Michael Wheller’s letter about the Western Relief Route to Portland, Letters, June 15). One reason for raising this issue now is the current consultation on the Joint Local Plan which, when adopted, will control development for the next 20 years. It is therefore necessary to consider the position beyond the present period of financial stringency. People of Weymouth and Port-land have for many years suffered ever-worsening congestion on the main route to Portland, via the Asda junction, Boot Hill, Rodwell Road and Portland Road, with its dangerous conflict of pedestrians and heavy traffic, numerous junctions, access points to houses and shops, and three schools; or the tortuous route past Wyke Church and down Lanehouse Rocks Road. These problems would all be relieved by the 2.5-mile bypass from Chickerell Road to Ferry-bridge – the Western Relief Route – which, together with the Chick-erell Link, could take Portland traffic directly from Chafeys Roundabout westwards around the edge of the town.

The interests of the borough as a whole should be considered, including in particular the economic prospects for Portland, where congestion-free access to the major road system is so important. The precise line of the route was carefully worked out by the county council to avoid as far as possible the sensitive areas along the Fleet; and for much of its length it is a considerable distance away from the shoreline. We do not believe that a road built on that alignment would have a great impact on the designated Fleet Ramsar site. Indeed, Weymouth Way, for example, runs along the very edge of the Radipole Lake RSPB Reserve, where wildlife thrives. A balance needs to be struck between worsening environmental quality and pollution on the existing roads to Portland, and minimal ecological disturbance along the western relief route. We do not seek the imminent construction of a relief road, but believe that the land should be safeguarded from built development along its route. Otherwise, there is a risk that the opportunity for significant future relief of the traffic problems in Weymouth will be permanently lost.

Pru Bollam President, Weymouth Civic Society