Frustrated residents have written to Portland Port and Dorset Council over an ‘increase in the number and frequency’ of passengers relating to the shuttle bus service.

The shuttle bus service operated by Portland Port has come under heavy fire in the last year from residents due to the use of Spring Road, Rodwell Avenue, Newton's Road and the mini-roundabout for ferrying passengers to cruise ships.

This year, the port is set to welcome more passengers than ever after its ‘record breaking’ season in 2023.

Now, residents have written to the port and Dorset Council, calling the situation ‘unacceptable’ and are considering all options including legal and civil action against both the port and Dorset Council.

The letter also outlines the residents desire for a planning application to be submitted so the road can be operated better and for the port to be fined for ‘illegal parking.’.

Residents have said that the ‘unofficial coach station’ has seen an ‘unacceptable increase’ in noise pollution, actual pollution, human traffic and HGV traffic.

The letter said: “It is concerning that Dorset Council appears to have permitted a private company to use public land for its benefit at detriment to the residents. 

“We understand that other local businesses are required to meet certain licensing, capacity and health and safety assessments before allowing thousands of people to congregate in one place. The port does not appear to be being held to those same standards.”

Further on, the letter said that it was ‘patently obvious’ to the residents that the use of the mini roundabout for the depositing of ‘thousands of passengers’ is not only ‘highly impractical’ but also becoming ‘increasingly dangerous.’

Residents have also said that the pollution and traffic levels in the area are ‘unacceptable’ and have asked for the plans to be revisited.

The letter said: “Residents have watched with dismay as the coaches struggle to navigate the mini roundabout, being the cause of a number of 'near-miss' incidents. 

“Certain residents have counted the number of times a coach passes their homes on 'Cruise Ship' days, counting up to 188 coaches passing their homes in seven hours.

“We are deeply concerned that attempting to manoeuvre multiple coaches, at repeated frequent intervals throughout the day will result in an accident involving the Residents or a passenger. 

“It is not clear to the residents why Weymouth seafront, which has specifically been adapted to accommodate coaches, or the Swannery car park which is also built to accommodate coaches, are not being used by Dorset Council and the port.”

The letter says that residents are happy for the trade and tourism to come to the town centre, but the fact that the passengers bring trade to the town is not relevant to the drop location.

The residents have asked both parties to respond to their requests, which include copies of communications relating to the use of the mini roundabout as a drop off point, passenger numbers from May last year and projected numbers for the next five years.

From Dorset Council, the residents would like confirmation of the number of fines issued to the Port for parking on double yellow lines, as well as letters, communications and minutes of meetings to and with the Port regarding the ongoing ‘illegal parking.’

A spokesperson for Portland Port said: “We remain in ongoing dialogue with Dorset Council about arrangements for the complimentary shuttle bus service.

“We have contracted a professional traffic management company for all calls, which includes the provision of traffic marshals, and have worked with bus operators to stagger the arrival of vehicles and limit the number on the road at any one time.

“The service remains under constant review to ensure it operates in the best way possible and we will continue to consider the views of all interested parties.”