TEMPORARY traffic lights on a key Weymouth route are causing delays and congestion woes for motorists – the third set of roadworks to take place in recent weeks.

Temporary traffic lights in two areas of Portland Road in Wyke Regis - one set near Nisa and another outside Domino’s. Work is scheduled to finish this Friday (October 29).

The five-day works by Openreach, which are to install new fibre optic cabling and improve internet in the area, is the latest set of maintenance in and around Portland Road in recent weeks and has caused a knock-on effect to drivers travelling around Wyke Regis and Portland.

Drivers faced delays as a result of emergency roadworks to repair a burst water main in late September near Ferrybridge while ageing pipework near to the junction with Dumbarton Road was replaced in early October.

Dorset Echo: Temporary traffic lights on Portland Road, Weymouth, causing traffic problems and delays on Tuesday, October 26. Picture: Dorset EchoTemporary traffic lights on Portland Road, Weymouth, causing traffic problems and delays on Tuesday, October 26. Picture: Dorset Echo

Travel Dorset and other interactive traffic services have reported ‘very slow traffic’ and miles of queues on Portland Road, with slow moving traffic tailing back to as far as Portland Beach Road and also up to Lanehouse.

Motorists have expressed their concerns with some describing the traffic lights as 'badly managed' and 'frustrating'. One driver said it took him an hour to travel from Portland to Weymouth.

Openreach has apologised for any disruption caused by the roadworks and noted they were hoping to complete the works as soon as possible.

Shop workers along the road have described the traffic as ‘very bad’ while others have had to leave for work earlier than planned.

One worker, whose journey usually takes 30 minutes, told Dorset Echo: “I live in Dorchester and you can imagine how it was for me. I finish work at 5pm and I got home at 6.10pm on Monday evening.

“Today it was only a couple minutes queue but it’s going home I dread.”

When asked about the roadworks and whether they should have taken place, he added: “I suppose it will be nice to get them out of the way.”

One motorist conceded that the roadworks had to go ahead, but was left 'frustrated' by the scores of traffic and queuing motorists yet again.

He said: “I drive on this road quite regularly as I visit family or go to Portland. However, the works and temporary traffic lights make it really difficult to get anywhere.

Dorset Echo:

“I understand they need to be done now especially as it’s half term, but I wish the traffic wasn’t as bad as this.”

One passer-by however felt that people need to 'get over it' and accept that the works need to take place.

She said: "There's nothing you can do about it and people would complain if works weren't done. They're being done to improve the local area which is great."

Cllr Clare Sutton recognised the problems caused by the temporary traffic lights and hoped the roadworks will finish ‘swiftly’.

She said: “I know this is of some concern to residents and businesses and I very much hope it can be resolved swiftly.”

A spokeswoman for Openreach explained that the temporary traffic lights are required as workers carry out maintenance as part of their multi-million investment into improving the area's internet services.

Dorset Echo: Temporary traffic lights on Portland Road, Weymouth, causing traffic problems and delays on Tuesday, October 26. Picture: Dorset EchoTemporary traffic lights on Portland Road, Weymouth, causing traffic problems and delays on Tuesday, October 26. Picture: Dorset Echo

She said: “We’re very conscious of the disruption caused by roadworks and always try to minimise it where possible.

“The traffic management on Portland Road is needed to lay 42 metres of new, underground duct which is part of our multi-million pound commercial investment in upgrading broadband in the area to ultrafast, Full Fibre.

"The work will be complete by October 29.

"We appreciate that this will cause a traffic delay; we’d advise drivers to plan ahead and leave some extra time for their journey and thank them for their understanding.

“Residents and businesses can see where we’re upgrading our network by looking at the Where and when we’re building Ultrafast Full Fibre Broadband section of our website.

"They can also see what infrastructure is available at their home or business by entering their address into our postcode checker at www.openreach.com.”

  • Have you been affected by the roadworks and delays? Email me at michael.taylor@newsquest.co.uk or tweet @JournoMikeT