THIS is the first glimpse of how Weymouth's £84 million relief road is going to look.

Dorset County Council has issued a timeline for its scheme with initial work involving fencing and site clearance.

And the long long awaited route - from the Manor Roundabout in Weymouth to the Ridgeway - should be open in two years' time.

Next year drainage, remediation and earthworks will be tackled, together with Littlemoor Bridge and retaining walls, before work closes down for the winter in October.

More drainage and bridge work is due to resume in January 2010, a year which will also see more earthworks, a park and ride facility and roadworks and pavements created before the main carriageway opens in October of that year.

Work then switches early in 2011 to carry out modifications to the old A354 Bincombe to Ridgeway road before the contract completes later that year.

The county council says that the scheme will improve journey times and reduce congestion on the A354 Weymouth-Dorchester road.

It says that the route will also benefit cyclists, horse riders and walkers with quieter roads, new paths and better links to local facilities.

Other benefits have been hailed as a park and ride facility, public transport support and an area for nature conservation.

The road is going ahead after the government and a public inquiry inspector backed compulsory purchase and side road orders for the scheme.

County environment director Miles Butler said: "The inspector was very complimentary in his report. It recognised the work that the council had done ensuring that building the relief road was the best option for the economic, environmental, social and employment growth of the Weymouth and Portland area.

"It also acknowledged that the environmental mitigation measures for the road go beyond what is required."

A series of relief road exhibitions where residents can have their questions answered in person start next week.

Mr Butler said: "We want to make sure that local people have an opportunity to ask questions and discuss any concerns about the construction of the road before work starts.

"These exhibitions are an opportunity for local people to refresh themselves with where the route goes and the other benefits the scheme brings."

Anyone unable to attend an exhibition can contact the project team by phone on 01305 221000 or email WeymouthReliefRoad@dorsetcc.gov.uk