Weymouth to Dorchester road to get £2.4m boost (From Thisisdorset)
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Road scheme to encourage cycling, walking and use of public transport
11:00am Friday 25th May 2012 in News By Emma Walker
INVESTMENT: Weymouth Relief Road between Littlemoor and Mount Pleasant
THE Weymouth to Dorchester corridor is set to get £2.4m to encourage walking, cycling and the use of public transport.
It includes a new Weymouth-Dorchester express bus service and expansion of local car clubs.
The scheme comes as part of a transport boost which will see the south west of England benefit from seven transport schemes.
The £26m of government funding was given the green light yesterday by Transport Minister Norman Baker.
Local councils will also make contributions to the schemes.
Mr Baker said: “The schemes we are funding will benefit those living in the south west by cutting carbon emissions, reducing congestion and stimulating economic growth in the area.
“We are signalling our commitment to green growth, which will help to kick-start economic activity in the region while improving access to healthier forms of transport.”
It is hoped that projects will reduce delays on the roads in urban areas, help tackle problems such as poor air quality and improve cycling and walking infrastructure.
The projects are among 30 successful bids receiving funding across England.
Councillor Pamela Nixon, who represents Wey Valley in Weymouth, said local people would really benefit from a new bus service.
She added: “I know a lot of people in Weymouth and Dorchester who now use public transport and leave their cars at home so would benefit from this.”
Others said the boost was positive but had concern over the more pressing transport issue of unclear road signs Councillor Ian Bruce, who represents Preston ward in Weymouth, said: “We are grateful for the government funds.
“It is important to encourage this initiative and visitors will have more options. However, we have a number of issues raised from our own relief road – such as unclear road signs and concern over visitors finding Weymouth, which is really important especially ahead of the Olympics.”
George and Jean Harris, the owners of The Bay Guest House in Waterloo Place, said such funds could be spent elsewhere.
Mr Harris added: “It is good that money is being spent here but our concern is that visitors can’t find Weymouth due to unclear road signs. This money could be spent elsewhere on more important things.”
Projects are designed to help reduce the £11billion lost each year to delays by making it easier for people to access work and school.
Bournemouth is also set to get £4.6m for a package of measures to encourage cycling and walking in the town.
Building on relief road benefits
A SPOKESMAN for Dorset County Council said: “Dorset County Council has been awarded £2.4m of funding by the Department of Transport towards a programme of sustainable transport measures which will be delivered over the next three years. “The money will contribute towards £6.2m of improvements in the Weymouth-Dorchester area.
“The improvements will benefit bus users, cyclists and local businesses.
“The programme will build on the benefits gained from the Weymouth Relief Road and Weymouth Transport Package and will include better, faster bus services between Weymouth and Dorchester, more dedicated cycle routes in the towns and measures to further reduce traffic congestion.”
Comments(21)
LaughingGnome
says...
11:25am Fri 25 May 12
There is no cycle path that links the two main cycle networks between Morissons roundabout and chafeys roundabout.
Until that's done, people can't cycle safely to the Granby or Chickerell from that side of Weymouth.
scubadude
says...
11:36am Fri 25 May 12
LaughingGnome wrote:You mean the cycle path down Radipole Park Drive, around the Swannary Carpark, across Westham Bridge which licks to the Chafeys side path and tunnels to Rodwell trail? The only park "missing" is 200yards from Morrisons over Icen Road but thats hardly a big deal is it?
I wonder if any money will be spend on the obvious "missing link" for cyclists.
There is no cycle path that links the two main cycle networks between Morissons roundabout and chafeys roundabout.
Until that's done, people can't cycle safely to the Granby or Chickerell from that side of Weymouth.
tedbungy
says...
12:04pm Fri 25 May 12
It should have been dual carrige way
dynarob
says...
1:10pm Fri 25 May 12
tedbungy wrote:Agreed, 40MPH is very frustrating and dangerous. Some speed limit signs for drivers going towards Weymouth would help edumacate them. There are signs going north but none for those coming south.
Express bus!! problem with this is the drivers who wont go above 40MPH, Iam not saying go over the speed limit but the queues from the roundabout by the football ground into Weymouth are caused by drivers that just wont get on.
It should have been dual carrige way
Perhaps the DoT could give the council a few more £Ms towards a couple of national speed limit signs.
Crabber
says...
1:14pm Fri 25 May 12
scubadude wrote:Are these the bl**dy cycle paths that the idiot's who don't use them keep on moaning about the lack of them.Money should & could be spent better elsewhere. Bu then again if they waste £300,000+ on they stone birds nests they can waste cash anywhere.
LaughingGnome wrote:You mean the cycle path down Radipole Park Drive, around the Swannary Carpark, across Westham Bridge which licks to the Chafeys side path and tunnels to Rodwell trail? The only park "missing" is 200yards from Morrisons over Icen Road but thats hardly a big deal is it?
I wonder if any money will be spend on the obvious "missing link" for cyclists.
There is no cycle path that links the two main cycle networks between Morissons roundabout and chafeys roundabout.
Until that's done, people can't cycle safely to the Granby or Chickerell from that side of Weymouth.
LaughingGnome
says...
3:39pm Fri 25 May 12
Crabber wrote:I agree, as a cyclist, motorcycles and motorist myself, there is nothing more annoying than seeing a d@#khead riding a pushbike along Preston beach road thinking that BOTH the dedicated cycles paths on either side of him are for "amateur" cyclists.
scubadude wrote:Are these the bl**dy cycle paths that the idiot's who don't use them keep on moaning about the lack of them.Money should & could be spent better elsewhere. Bu then again if they waste £300,000+ on they stone birds nests they can waste cash anywhere.
LaughingGnome wrote:You mean the cycle path down Radipole Park Drive, around the Swannary Carpark, across Westham Bridge which licks to the Chafeys side path and tunnels to Rodwell trail? The only park "missing" is 200yards from Morrisons over Icen Road but thats hardly a big deal is it?
I wonder if any money will be spend on the obvious "missing link" for cyclists.
There is no cycle path that links the two main cycle networks between Morissons roundabout and chafeys roundabout.
Until that's done, people can't cycle safely to the Granby or Chickerell from that side of Weymouth.
Lizzy Bennett
says...
4:00pm Fri 25 May 12
roger goss
says...
5:11pm Fri 25 May 12
roger goss
says...
5:12pm Fri 25 May 12
trymybest
says...
5:33pm Fri 25 May 12
keeman
says...
8:33pm Fri 25 May 12
11:25am Fri 25 May 12
“There is no cycle path that links the two main cycle networks between Morissons roundabout and chafeys roundabout.”
Morissons roundabout? Wrong name, but we all know where he means.
What about Jurassic, Veasta and Harriers roundabouts? I’ll bet many of you will not know which is which. So much for silly names!
IDONTKNOWIFITISTRRUE
says...
8:59pm Fri 25 May 12
dontbuyit
says...
12:21pm Sat 26 May 12
Artstudent
says...
2:22pm Sat 26 May 12
Nomalice
says...
8:23pm Sat 26 May 12
r to me to have done a good job,on time and within budget. We have another £2.4million to spend on further improvements. We are on the world map due to the Olympics, and Council Tax is frozen.The Sun is shining,England are winning.Only needs Englebert to bring home "the bacon" tonight and everything will be 'perfick'. Come On! Be positive!
portland rebel
says...
11:39pm Sat 26 May 12
Monmouthsman
says...
12:49pm Mon 28 May 12
Mainly to scubadude - The cycle route suggested via Westham bridge clearly is way too long to attract would be cycling commuters to the Granby area and the missing link from Manor roundabout to Radipole Park Drive will put off the less confident recreational cyclists. The missing cycleway link between Manor and Chaffeys roundabouts really is significant and almost as important as the missing link between Lodmoor and the main towncentre Esplande road. perhpaps some of the money could also be used to take out the blind bends near junctions designed in to the new cycle paths and improving that dangerous junction north of Morrisons between the new relief road and the railway line too.
Dr Brendan Webster
says...
2:36pm Mon 28 May 12
.
In many cases cyclists might find learning the residential roads would help them plan to avoid busy main roads. But I agree getting from Manor roundabout to Chaffey's roundabout is problematic and there ought to be a cycle lane in each direction. Chaffey's roundabout itself would remain tricky but if proper road crossings were provided for pedestrians, cyclists could also use them.
.
I think planners do not do enough for pedestrians - developments often do not include sufficient pedestrian permeability forcing them to walk and extra 50 metres or what ever - nothing to those on wheels but significant to pedestrians. Road planners also do not cater sufficiently well for those on foot. Every extra 10 metres and every minute wait for a crossing light contributes to people taking chances or dissuades them from walking.
weymouth1990
says...
9:12pm Mon 28 May 12
Desk24
says...
11:49pm Wed 30 May 12
Desk24 says...
11:11am Fri 25 May 12