Better Transport

• Dr Guy Dickinson send them a message
• Tel: 07747 776580
• Bypass The Bypass website

We are campaigning against the so-called 'Weymouth Relief Road'. This is proposed to run 4.6km from the Ridgeway towards Weymouth, parallel to the existing road.

The road is expected to cost £85.4 million to build. It will seriously damage an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, a Site of Special Scientific Interest, and ancient woodland as well as cutting a deep gash in the Ridgeway.

The road is totally unnecessary and no time has been spent by Dorset County Council to explore alternatives (there are many including remodelling a junction, road widening in places and much better public transport). The jams are not unusual anywhere else in the country and only occur at rush hour.

The road will significantly increase CO2 production (according to Dorset County Council's own research). There have been 6,000 objections registered as compared to to 2,000 indications of support. Natural England objects to the scheme.

Latest News :

October 2008: The Government has decided to approve the Weymouth Relief Road. This appalling decision will cost £85.4 million and severely damage an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, a Site of Special Scientific Interest and ancient woodland, as well as hastening climate change. 

January 2008: In October 2007 an inquiry opened into the Compulsory Purchase Orders which would be necessitated by the road. The inspector (following an application from CPRE) decided that the inquiry should also examine the 'need' for the road. This was very welcome and countered the failure of the Secretary of State to call an inquiry following the granting of planning permission in April 2007. The inquiry ran from November 6th until the summing up on December 12th. We await the inspector's report, which will probably be published in March 2008.

September 2007: The group has posted a video online!