TRACK removal work along most of Weymouth's Custom House Quay has been completed - with the project now due to move back into Commercial Road.

Dorset Council's project to remove the disused rails along the harbourside in a bid to improve road safety has reached a milestone with work along most of Custom House Quay almost completed.

The harbour ‘tramway’ has been blamed for causing multiple accidents but the project to remove the lines, which began in October last year, has received some criticism from locals who are keen to preserve history.

Attention is now being turned to removing the disused tracks on Commercial Road which will be closed between Lower St Alban Street and St Nicholas Street for one week, beginning January 25.

Drivers will be able to navigate around the works by using Lower St Alban Street and St Nicholas Street.

From February 1-5, the road will be closed from St Nicholas Street to St Mary Street to remove the final section of the track.

A temporary surface will be left in place following the track removal, with resurfacing work scheduled to follow drainage and kerbing work.

Road closures will be in place 24 hours a day with a signed diversion route in place to direct traffic around the closed section.

On-street parking permit holders in the area will be able to use council-owned car parks during this time.

Councillor Ray Bryan, Dorset Council portfolio holder for highways, travel and environment, said: "We're on the final phases of track removal, which has gone exceptionally well to date.

"We know many people are working from home and staying home as much as possible at the moment, so please bear with us during these final weeks; there will be some unavoidable noise in the works area."

Dorset Council has announced that the Dorset highways team will remain in the Weymouth harbour area next month to remove a section of track on the peninsula near to the old Condor building and sections of track near B&Q in preparation for 'a future project'.

Further finishing works will be carried out in the areas where sections of the old rails are being left in place. This includes improving the cul-de-sac area of Commercial Road, near King Street, by installing drainage and kerbing, resurfacing the area and marking out formal parking bays and paving repairs in 'The Loop' near Cosens Quay Car Park.