Now is the moment to push forward with plans to create a western relief road in Weymouth linking Wyke Regis and Chickerell, according to key industry players. 

Issues surrounding the long-running idea for the relief road, named the Jurassic Coast Highway, were discussed during a conference in Dorchester yesterday.

Local councillors and officers as well as business people and community group members, came together for the first time to engage in talks over how the scheme could lead to economic and social growth in the area, and its possible impacts. 

Speakers provided an insight into a range of issues including how it could tackle deprivation and improve the borough’s networks with the rest of the country – and a strong level of support for the project was shown. 

The conference was led by CEO of Portland Port Bill Reeves, who highlighted the pressure that the port faces as a growing major cruise ship destination. 

Portland Port is due to receive 34 cruise ship calls next year compared to 26 this year, and Mr Reeves said the influx of customers would put pressure on the surrounding road networks. 

Speaking outside of the conference, he said: “The next step is to get it formally back on the agenda with the relevant authorities, and this conference is the catalyst for that.” We’ve got to make sure that people understand we’re on the map.”

“The port will continue to work with councillors and officials at county and local level as well as other local businesses to take this project through its next stages.” 

Cllr Rebecca Knox, leader of Dorset County Council, was one of the main speakers at the meeting. She believes that discussions need to reach further than just focusing around the relief road, mentioning the need for an understanding over employment, business growth and housing benefits. 

She said: “This isn’t just about Portland and Weymouth, it’s about the whole of Dorset. There’s a big task to do and DCC is fully engaged.
“We need to prove that this is going to deliver the right type of housing for our key workers in the area.”

Constraints facing the project which were raised during the conference, include its potential visual and noise impact, and the impact on the heritage of the area.

Civil engineering consultancy Awcock Board Partnership (ABP) presented an outline design of what the road route could look like. Ian Awcock, ABP founder, said that although design is an element to be considered much later in the process, it’s time for leading figures in the industry to take action. 

He said: “This is an opportunity not to be missed, this is the moment that we can really do something.” 

“We don’t want to look back in 30 years’ time and think that we compromised the future.”

Renewed support for highway plan

The Jurassic Coast Highway would link the A354 at Ferrybridge with the B3157 Chickerell Road at the Link Road junction, bypassing the A354 corridor through built-up areas including Wyke and Boot Hill.

Plans for the relief road were controversially dropped from the county council’s economic growth plan last year due to the cost and visual impact of the scheme, despite it being seen as the key to unlocking Portland’s potential.

There is now renewed support for the ambitious project, and it has been backed by South Dorset MP Richard Drax as well as leader of Weymouth and Portland Council Cllr Jeff Cant.

The Bournemouth, Poole and Dorset Local Transport Plan states: “There remain concerns within Weymouth and Portland over the poor connections from the area to the national motorway network and poor accessibility to key employment sites such as Portland.”

This was highlighted during the conference when the urgent need for the relief road was noted.