Yet again, the coast road between Bridport and Weymouth is to be closed to traffic during the day, for three months, with a total disregard for businesses or the people who live and work in this community.
At the meeting in Portesham Village Hall (which it seems that very few people knew about), it is reported that engineers assured motorists that every endeavour was being made to minimise disruption to users and those living and working along the road.
If that were the case, then the work would be undertaken during the night time or alternatively, provision would be made for motorists to continue to use the road.
It seems this is going to be possible during the half term, but not during the remainder of the time that the roadwork are being undertaken!
As to the proposed diversion through Bridport and Dorchester, for most people this will double their mileage and fuel bills, not to mention the time that it will take when all traffic emerges on the A354, which is already seriously congested.
What happens if there is an accident on the A354 and it has to be shut? The local single track roads will not be able to accommodate so much additional traffic and in the winter, will probably be particularly hazardous.
Many locals will be force to use these roads, as they will not be able to afford the additional fuel bills. Realistically, there is no appropriate diversion if the road closes.
Surely an alternative would be to do the work overnight. If this is not possible due to falling temperatures, and the work is so urgent for safety, then why has it not already been completed during the summer months?
It is about time that thought was given to the local people who travel that road every day for a living and to the businesses in the area already suffering because of a bad summer and the credit crunch.
Many people may not be able to withstand any further threat to their livelyhood and fail.
DJ, Puncknowle.
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