Business leaders say they’re ‘shocked’ and ‘disappointed’ that the Jurassic Coast Highway won’t be included in the review of the Local Plan.

Borough councillors voted against the road being put into the review plan, with only one of 13 councillors pushing for its inclusion. The purpose of the plan review is to guide development in the area until 2036.

Councillors argued it would not be cost effective and attracting government funding would be too difficult.

The road linking Wyke Regis and Chickerell, also known as the Western route, has been discussed for years, however, no funding has been sourced yet.

The road still might be included in plan revisions at a later date if funding can be found to build it with a case made for its cost effectiveness.

Business leaders hope that in the long-term plans for the road would come to fruition.

Bill Reeves, Chief Executive of Portland Port, said: “I am disappointed the decision was made against the road and it’s a pity it was only by one vote.

“I am surprised that the majority of councillors didn’t see the many benefits the road would bring.

“We really need to plan for the future of Weymouth and Portland and wider Dorset. It’s not only businesses that would have benefited from the road, but the local community.”

Mr Reeves said Portland Port has seen a huge increase in its number of visitors since 2016, which is set to continue.

This year 32 cruise ships are calling at Portland Port bringing in nearly 39,000 passengers. Next year 44 ships are already booked to visit, with more than 61,000 passengers expected.

Mr Reeves explained: “We spent £3.2m to extend the berth so bigger ships can come in, which means the number of passengers goes up.

“The majority of money spent by passengers and crew stays local.”

He added: “The number of heavy vehicles using the existing road is going to increase dramatically over the next few years, not just because of the port but because other businesses will be expanding.

“People need to think what the road will look like in five to ten years’ time; it’s fairly clear to me that we are going to have more than double the number of vehicles.

“Weymouth is a good place to visit but as Weymouth and Portland continue to grow we need to invest in our own future and infrastructure is part of that. I would hope the local councillors would think again and we will continue to press for the Jurassic Coast Highway.”

Raina Summerson, Chairman of the Portland Economic Vision Board, said she was shocked to find out that the relief road had been taken off the plan review, and that it is a ‘real blow’ to the area which is showing signs of prosperity and change.

She explained that without a relief road in sight, businesses may reconsider moving to the area and those already established on the island may reconsider their position.

Derek Luckhurst, chairman and owner of care company Agincare, who has been helping to regenerate Castletown, said: “I have got Portland’s interests at heart.

“I was astonished that a decision so important to the future of Portland had been taken by councillors and there had been no prior engagement from people like myself. “