Residents fed up with cruise ship shuttle buses outside their homes are demanding answers from authorities ahead of the new season - while also criticising an offer of money for road improvements.

It comes after Dorset Council was offered a sum from Portland Port to carry out road improvements to an area of Weymouth where its shuttle buses drop off and pick up huge numbers of people.

While the passengers are welcomed in Weymouth, the bus service from the port has come under fire from residents in the Spring Road and Newton's Road area because of the disruption it causes.

Fearing more disruption this summer with a 'record-breaking' number of cruise calls expected at Portland, residents have been questioning Dorset Council as the highways authority on a number of issues.

They have used Freedom of information requests to ask for a confirmation of the number of fines issued to the port for buses parking on double yellow lines, as well as requesting letters, communications and minutes of meetings to and with the Port regarding what residents claim is ‘illegal parking.’

After the residents claim their FoI requests were 'denied', they inquired with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) which told them the council will answer by Tuesday, April 23. 

Residents have also submitted a new request, asking the council to reveal the details surrounding the money offered from the port for road improvements in the area.

A representative speaking on behalf of the residents described the port offering the council money as 'shocking.'

They said: “The anger in the community is on the next level.

“We don’t understand why a private company is offering local government money. It’s the council’s job to strategize on roads, not the port - we’re fuming and not happy at all.”

The representative said with the expansion of cruise calls, the plans by the port for the bus service 'are not feasible anymore.'

They said: “One resident said they watched a (huge number) of buses go through the area in one day, whilst another has told us that they came home to find a family of tourists sat on a bench in their front garden eating a picnic. It's ridiculous."

They said they want to welcome tourists to the town, but feel passengers should be dropped off closer to the town centre.

They added: “The situation is creating more havoc and becoming a growing issue."

Dorset Echo: AN irate taxi driver has hit out at Portland Port and Dorset Council for its handling of coaches

Residents addressed their concerns within an open letter to Portland Port and Dorset Council back in February.

One day last year saw thousands of passengers in the Rodwell area after two cruise ships visited in one day. One resident described the situation that day as ‘hell.’

Dorset Echo:

A spokesman for Portland Port said: “We recognise that we don’t operate in a vacuum and genuinely remain committed to identifying workable solutions to ensure our shuttle bus service runs in the best way possible.

“All aspects of the shuttle bus service have been reviewed; including timings, locations, logistics, costs, congestion, as well as what the implications would be for each alternative site.

“We remain in discussions with Dorset Council but we are not in position to give further details at this time.”

A Dorset Council spokesperson said; "We are looking at all suitable options to resolve the issue. As soon as this is confirmed we will be able to provide further details.

"Regarding the Freedom of Information enquiry, we have not denied the request. We are coordinating a response and are sorry for the length of time taken, but we will respond in due course."