SOUTH Dorset MP Jim Knight has today made a controversial U-turn to back a rejected route for Weymouth's vital relief road.

He has announced his support for the Orange Route - which would run through ancient woodland at Two Mile Coppice - and has given the thumbs down to Dorset County Council's preferred Brown Route from the Ridgeway, through Littlemoor to the Manor Roundabout.

Mr Knight said he was speaking out now because he felt it was important for people to know where he stood in advance of councillors making their decision on a route in the next few weeks.

The county council was forced to consider the Orange Route again to show there was no satisfactory alternative to the Brown Route after protected bats were found in Horselynch Plantation on the Brown Route's line.

With a route decision just weeks away Mr Knight said: "I feel it is important that I make my standpoint on this matter public now, that local people have a final chance to debate the matter fully and they make their own views known to their county councillors."

He said he had always supported the concept of a Weymouth relief road both to improve the local economy and to reduce dangerous levels of congestion.

He added: "My original preference was for the Brown Route option as I had been advised that it was the only option which relieved congestion, not only on the Dorchester Road but also in the centre of Weymouth and on the Preston Beach Road.

"However, recent traffic projections have indicated that this is not the case and that the Orange Route option would have an improved effect on traffic levels through Weymouth and beyond."

Mr Knight said he had recently hosted a second meeting with council engineers, planners and relevant environmental lobby groups for a deep discussion on the human and environmental implications of the different routes.

He added: "I have also discussed this matter with the county and borough councillors for the relevant ward and I will state openly a preference for the Orange Route which will be equally effective, is less environmentally disruptive and carries with it considerable advantages as far as amenity value of the Lodmoor Valley is concerned.

"Crucially I believe that the risks that the Brown Route would fail at a public inquiry are considerable - in marked contrast to the Orange Route."

He said compensation had to be ensured for those affected by whichever route was chosen, but a relief road would ultimately benefit almost every local resident.

Long-time relief road campaigner Dr Alan Chedzoy said it was crucial to get a relief road as soon as possible.

He added: "Originally the Orange Route was preferred by a considerable majority of people because it was shorter and straighter.

"The argument against it at the time was that the Government wanted it to be a dual carriageway and there was not room for it to be dual along its entire length because a key point at Littlemoor was too narrow. That meant the second scheme had to be chosen, which was the Brown Route.

"If the Orange Route were allowed to be single carriageway it would be much more attractive, but an awful lot of work and effort has gone into producing the Brown Route scheme.

"The crucial question is that if county planners revert to the Orange Route will it take longer to achieve than the Brown Route? Time is vital and residents want a relief road as soon as possible."

County environmental services director Miles Butler said it was too early yet for county officers to make a recommendation on either route.

He added: "This is because, while some environmental work is complete, we are still waiting for other evidence including noise analysis which is critical."