'TOURISTS are welcome - but the buses aren't' was the message as Weymouth residents protested against their road being used as a drop-off point for cruise ship passengers.
A small group gathered in Spring Road at Rodwell yesterday as more buses brought in tourists who had arrived on a liner at Portland Port.
As reported, residents believe the area is totally unsuitable as a bus park due to the congestion in the narrow roads.
Resident Jenny Rains, along with other locals, has been campaigning against the location, urging Portland Port to consider other sites near the town centre for their shuttle buses.
The car park at North Quay could well be used in future but for now residents have to put up with buses arriving in their road.
Yesterday, a small group of residents gathered with signs near the roundabout - to make their cause heard and to 'keep up the pressure'.
Read more: Rodwell residents feel 'ignored' by port and council
It was timed to coincide with the arrival of The Caribbean Princess cruise ship. Buses arrived all morning dropping passengers from the 3,600-passenger liner off into Weymouth.
A police officer and a port police officer were present at the protest, which saw around a dozen people take part. Several tourists briefly stopped to chat to them.
Resident Marc Moore said: "The road is not big enough for the traffic that is coming here. It rattles our house. It literally rattles the glasses sitting on the shelf.
"They have known about this problem for a long time. When they knocked down (the council offices at North Quay) they could have made something purpose-built, it is a much better location."
For resident Frances Dench, this issue is also about public health.
She said: "My husband is asthmatic and since this year with all the buses it has got worse. It is the fumes, they don't turn their engines off.
"It is fine for the people to come - it is just the buses and where they are dropped off."
Resident Karen Edwards said: "It is really dangerous. Someone is going to get knocked over I think. I would like to see them move it all, they need to be put in a proper car park."
Organiser Jenny Rains said: "It would be good if they moved it to the North Quay car park, and we are trying to keep up the pressure.
"They are talking about doing a risk assessment at North Quay, which they have never done for here. We will see what comes of it."
This year, Portland Port is set to welcome 110,000 passengers on cruise ships after its ‘record-breaking’ season in 2023.
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