PROPOSALS for a new bus information kiosk on Weymouth Esplanade have been scrapped.

As reported, bus operator First Wessex wanted to put a small portable cabin kiosk close to the K7 bus stop but has withdrawn its planning application "as it was clear permission was very unlikely to be granted in time for the summer season."

Weymouth Town Council had previously asked First to speak with planning authority Dorset Council and put forward a proposal - however the bus operator instead submitted a formal planning application.

Although the plan was broadly welcomed by the town council's Planning Committee, concerns were raised about the location on a busy area of the promenade - with many councillors of the view that an alternative site should be sought.

A vote was taken and the town council objected on the grounds of clutter, street furniture and concerns about possible pedestrian congestion on the seafront, but expressed a desire to explore possible future options for providing an information point.

Dorset Echo: The proposed kiosk was to be themed to look like a bus The proposed kiosk was to be themed to look like a bus

Had the plans been given the go-ahead, the proposed kiosk - designed to look like a bus - could have served as a small-scale Tourist Information Centre by providing leaflets for tourism businesses or areas of interest, operating from 9am to 5pm every day until the end of September, and from February to October in 2022.

The town council had no objection to granting an operating license for the kiosk, had the planning application been approved by Dorset Council, which has the final say. But instead the proposal has been withdrawn by First due to the delays.

A company spokesman for First said: "We have withdrawn our application as it was clear permission was very unlikely to be granted in time for the information point to be up and running for the summer season, therefore withdrawing was the appropriate course of action.

"The kiosk would have provided customers with up-to-date travel information, which would especially benefit our valued customers who are not technology-minded, visitors and people on holiday.”

The company did not comment on whether it plans to submit another proposal in future.