THE harbour railings project in Weymouth has been described as a 'disaster' by town councillors - as the cost of the controversial scheme has emerged.

Dorset Council, the authority that is putting the safety barriers in place, has said the railings cost 'around 40,000'.

The money came from central Government as part of a grant to help councils ensure towns are ready to open when lockdown eases.

But Weymouth town councillor for Melcombe Regis, Tia Roos, said the cost is 'outrageous' - and that the funds could have been better spent on other changes at the harbour to make it more accessible, or for the provision of temporary toilets.

She said: "It could have been spent on more seating, to make the harbour more inclusive so that people are not forced to go and spend money in restaurants.

"We've had people complain about safety aspects - a dropped kerb would have helped disabled access so people in wheelchairs are not having to share the road with cars.

"The fact the ward councillors haven't been consulted - we've had absolute radio silence - it's like nobody else's opinion matters.

"It's really harsh to stick some metal on the harbour and expect that everyone is going to be alright with it. It's a hostile design and I think it is ineffective as people are still climbing over the rails to sit on the wall.

"I'm angry on behalf of residents in that area who feel mugged off - it's a slap in the face. They're not consulted and then they have to deal with the brunt of it."

The comments came after members of Weymouth Town Council's Services Committee met at a virtual meeting on Wednesday when issues of the railings were raised during a harbour briefing from Weymouth councillor David Gray, who sits on Dorset Council's Harbours Committee.

He said advice from the Health and Safety Executive was discussed at two harbour committee meetings in December and March, but 'at no point was the word railings used'. Safety recommendations included additional educational signage and safety markings.

READ MORE: HSE 'did not require' Dorset Council to put railings around harbour

READ MORE: Dorset Council respond to Weymouth Harbour railings backlash

Cllr Gray said: "What I have been able to ascertain is that were two more meetings, and the first time railings were mentioned was on March 10 at an internal Dorset Council harbours meeting with the portfolio holder."

He added: "How do we avoid this disaster again for the next thing that comes along? (Dorset Council) should be consulting and talking to the town council, and the committee that's supposed to run the harbour."