IT IS feared new roadworks in Weymouth will mean traffic chaos as schools close for the summer.

The decision by Southern Electric to dig up part of the main road to Portland just as thousands more holidaying families are likely to be hitting the roads has been criticised.

Traffic lights at the top of Boot Hill will be switched off during the works, which start from Monday for two weeks, and replaced by temporary signals operated by workmen controlling flows in single file.

It is to allow new underground cables to be installed at the junction of Rodwell Road and Franchise Street.

Southern Electric said the work was ‘essential’ but Dorset County Council tried to put pressure on the firm to avoid day working.

There were long tailbacks last month when the company worked in the same area.

While most of the local schools will break up on July 25 many school children across the country are already on holiday and tourists are flocking to the area.

The heatwave is likely to mean Weymouth and Portland will be overflowing over the coming weeks.

Dorset County Council’s highways manager Matthew Piles said: “Southern Electric contacted us about essential works.

“We challenged their timing, and whether they could lessen the impact of the work, by working at night for example.

“But this was not possible.”

He added: “We suggest that people use alternative rou-tes and check their travel options.”

Borough councillor for Wyke and county councillor for Portland Kate Wheller said it was ‘outrageous’ work was going on now.

She said: “I can’t believe the work is so urgent that it has to be done at this time of the summer, or that it can’t be scheduled for the evening.

“It will be absolute chaos.”

Dive school owner Rob Hughes said: “We’re starting the busiest time of the season.

“No doubt locals will find their way round but holidaymakers will be stuck.

“Most people accept roadworks have to happen but when they come back year after year and it’s still not sorted they must wonder what’s going on.”

Robbie Feltham of Kingswood bed and breakfast in Rodwell Road said the pattern of the permanent traffic lights at Boot Hill needed to be examined as it was biased against Rodwell Road traffic.

He added: “The works seem to be never ending in this area of town.”

Disruption ‘unavoidable’

SOUTHERN Electric will be carrying out essential electricity works in the Rodwell Road (Boot Hill) area between July 22 and August 2.

Engineers will install new underground electricity cables on the Rodwell Road/Franchise Street junction working between 8am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.

A spokesman said: “When we are working it will be necessary to use temporary traffic management, for example traffic lights and temporary pedestrian crossings, so we would ask that you plan your journey accordingly.

“As with all street work excavations some disruption is unavoidable and we would like to apologise in advance for any inconvenience you may be caused.

“We will do all we can to minimise the disruption and we will reinstate the road and footway excavations as soon as possible.”