People have spoken of their concerns after new figures revealed the number of crashes on a major route in the area.

Information from an FOI request by the Echo indicates that there have been 19 fatal or serious crashes in the last 10 years on Portland Beach Road.

These figures show that three of these crashes were fatal and that there were a further 24 slight crashes, with the majority of these being caused by driver error.

Of the seven crashes caused by careless/reckless/hurrying drivers, four were serious or fatal.

Portland Cllr Carralyn Parkes believes the speed on the road should be reduced.

Dorset Echo:

She said: "Driver error can quite often be reinforced by having to react at a high speed and it would not harm anybody for the speed limit to be reduced. It would certainly be safer for pedestrians, cyclists and other road users.  Crashes are consistent over the years, there is definitely a problem.

"I think it would be a good idea for everyone to have the speed limit reduced. Any road can be dangerous given the conditions and because of where we live quite often that road has those poor conditions."

The road's location adjacent to Chesil Beach and the sea means that conditions are often sub-par with additional hazards.

Wyke Regis Cllr Kate Wheller said: "I read the stats and I think they are quite interesting. On the face of it, it looks like the accidents with fatalities are increasing.

"I believe that the road has a problem because it is used by so many drivers who are unaware of the potential hazards. I think high ways need to look very closely at it."

This year the road was closed after a fatal crash where a pedestrian was hit by a lorry.

Currently, the speed limit on the road is 60mph. In December Portland Council unanimously voted to approve a recommendation to support the proposal to reduce the speed limit on Portland Beach Road to 50mph.

There have been two crashes caused by drivers exceeding the speed limit, and a further seven crashes caused by drivers failing to judge other people's path or speed. A further 10 crashes had 'failed to look properly' as a factor.

Previous fatal crashes:

A man in his 50s from Nottinghamshire died in 2022 following a crash on his motorcycle on the road. The FOI indicates that this crash was the result of a poor turn or manoeuvre whilst exceeding the speed limit.

Read more: Man in his 50s dies after crash on Portland Beach Road

In 2021 a cyclist, a man in his 30s, died after a crash involving a Ford Focus. Police say this crash was caused by careless/recklessness and impairment caused by drugs.

Read more: Road tragedy as cyclist dies in crash on Portland

In 2017 weather caused a slippery road which resulted in a loss of control and a fatal two-car collision which took the life of a 72-year-old man.

Read more: Man, 72, dies following crash on Portland Beach Road