Whilst business leaders are 'shocked and dismayed' that the Jurassic Coast Highway had failed to be included in the Local Plan by just one vote, the safety and well being of the local community is every bit as important when it comes to a planning decision of this magnitude.

Our Local Councillor for Wyke Regis, Kate Wheller is, I'm sure, fully aware that the highway will, at a stroke, provide a route to and from Portland that will completely bypass a densely populated area that includes at least five schools. During term times, twice a day, five days a week, there are many hundreds of children either walking or riding their bikes to and from school, often having to cross the busy Portland, Buxton, Lanehouse Rocks or Chickerell roads at whatever place they think 'they can'.

I have lived in Wyke Regis for 15 years, during which time I have witnessed the effects of the ever increasing traffic congestion in the borough. The Council's decision to exclude the highway should not be allowed to quietly sit and fester for the next four years.

The highway will have to be built one day, and it will take many years from now to develop and construct. But things cannot just trickle along as they are. There are actions that should be put into place now to protect the proposed route of the highway. A good start might be the compulsory purchase of the Ferrybridge pub, because it will cost an awful lot of money one day to buy, then knock down what might eventually turn out to be a large block of apartments and restaurants. (I don't know if that proposed development has got any form of planning approval as yet. Hope not, as we might need the space).

I believe that the Council should convene at the earliest opportunity and hold a very public meeting to re-visit their decision on the highway. The timing of the meeting should be well publicised in advance for the public to attend, listen to and observe who is making whatever case for or against the highway.

Then the Councillors should have another (public) vote. A way must be found to keep the project alive.

Does anyone know the date of the next local elections?

Barry Lambert

Wyke Regis