Residents are being asked to share their views on the future of Weymouth Harbour in an online survey.

The Dorset Harbours Strategy Survey is asking members of the public for their opinions on which aspects of the harbour are most important to them - including business growth, economy, access, and pedestrianisation.

It will also consider the future of Lyme Regis and Bridport harbours over the next ten years and has been launched by the Dorset Coast Forum on behalf of Dorset Council.

The survey follows a series of Harbour Strategy virtual workshops which were held to give nearby residents and businesses an opportunity to have their say.

Dorset Coast Forum said the online survey - which is open for public comment until October 11 - includes the same topics that were discussed at those workshops.

The exercise may reassure some harbour users who previously expressed concerns over the lack of consultation about plans to temporarily pedestrianise Weymouth Harbour.

However during one of the Weymouth Harbour workshops - which the Dorset Echo was not permitted to attend - concerns were raised that the council 'does not do enough to celebrate the rich heritage of Weymouth and the harbourside'.

Sarah Whiteside, owner of Stepford Studios on the harbourside and member of the South Harbourside Community Collective, said: "I thought (the meeting) was useful.

"There was a consensus on the need for strong leadership around the delivery of harbour management and a need to bring harbour users together, and for and developments to be sympathetic to the traditions of harbour life.

"Harbour users expressed the need to be better supported and communicated with going forward, while residents expressed the same concerns around inclusion in decision making processes.

"All agreed that the council doesn't do enough to celebrate the rich heritage of Weymouth and the harbourside in attracting tourism opportunities, and expressed a desire for focus on this in the future."

Councillor Mark Roberts, chairman of the Dorset Council Harbours Committee, said: “It’s vital that we talk to users of all three harbours and the wider community to understand what’s important to them and listen to their ideas. We’ll then start to develop a strategy using what we’ve heard. I look forward to hearing what everyone has to say”

Cllr Kate Wheller welcomed the exercise. She said: "I have been urging Dorset Council to create a robust and imaginative strategy for its harbours for over a year so I am delighted this consultation is now underway."

* To have your say visit www.dorsetcoasthaveyoursay.co.uk/dorset-harbours-strategy/survey_tools/dorset-harbours-strategy-survey