ROAD signs throughout Weymouth and Portland are still ‘worse than useless’, it has been claimed.

Criticism remains for a misleading road network that is said to be causing havoc to visitors.

Councillor Ian Bruce has blasted Dorset County Council for the confusion just weeks before the Olympic Games.

He has vowed not to stop until clearer signage is seen on the Weymouth Relief Road and Chalbury Corner in Preston after ‘limited success’ by councillors.

It follows complaints from traders who claim that tourists are unable to find Weymouth.

Mr Bruce, who represents Preston ward, said: “It really is very confusing, the road signs in certain places are worse than useless.

“When thousands of visitors are here in the summer, what are we going to do?

“I will be contacting all councillors and I will not be satisfied with anyone telling me nothing can be done.

“Councillors have had limited success in changing the misleading ‘Portland Town Centre’ road signs on the new relief road.

“They now read: ‘Town Centre’ and then: ‘Portland A354’ – this is still not good enough.

“To avoid confusion these signs should read: ‘Weymouth Centre’.”

He added: “Many of our visitors come in from the Wareham direction and they are expected to drive along the Littlemoor Road to join the relief road which makes little sense.”

Criticism has been given for signs at Chalbury roundabout which are said to offer visitors nothing ‘useful’.

Mr Bruce said: “At the sign on Chalbury roundabout it reads Overcombe, Waterside Holiday, Lodmoor and the B3155.

“I can see why the holiday park would be useful to visitors but not any of the others particularly as none of them are mentioned on maps.”

He has also hit out against the failure of signs to Bowleaze Cove and Preston which do not showcase the 500 available parking spaces for tourists to enjoy the attractions there.

Mr Bruce added: “On top of this, the signs directing people to Bowleaze Cove fail to mention all of the parking spaces, which impacts the area’s tourism and trade.”

After first approaching Dorset County Council Mr Bruce claimed he was told nothing would be done.

He said he would be raising the issue at the borough council’s management committee which is due to be held next month.

Council admits problems

A SPOKESMAN for Dorset County Council admitted that there is some confusion.

He said: “In Weymouth, we have followed the standard convention. Once drivers pass the ‘Welcome to’ sign, signs to ‘town centre’ refer to the town that they have arrived in. Weymouth is slightly more complicated because signs welcome visitors to Weymouth and Portland and there has been some confusion.

“A new sign with town twinning information that will be erected before drivers from Dorchester reach the Jurassic roundabout will emphasise ‘Weymouth’ so drivers know where they have arrived.

“We have also changed the signs beyond that so people could not read them as Portland Town Centre.

“At Preston, the strategic plan is to keep most visitors from going through the residential area of Preston to the town centre.

“Tourists going to Lodmoor and the holiday centre are signed that way, but town centre traffic is encouraged to go to the relief road and park in the park and ride to reduce the traffic congestion in the town centre.”