Voices is the Dorset Echo's weekly youth page, written for young people by young people. If you would like to write articles for Dorset Echo Voices, please email alex.cutler@dorsetecho.co.uk for more information.

MERCERY Road could face more developments this year as there is the opportunity for eight new commercial units.

Recently, there have been two prime locations for developments: Chickerell, with an Aldi and a Starbucks, and Radipole, with a new Sainsbury’s, Premier Inn and New Look offices constructed six years ago.

It seems this area is due to face further employment opportunities.

The stores planned include a B&M Homestore, Dunhelm, another Costa Coffee and most interestingly another McDonald's.

There are already two branches of McDonald's in Weymouth and one near Poundbury, so does Weymouth really need another store?

Fast food is cheap food, so another store opening could have more damaging effects that you would think – Weymouth could face rising levels of obesity.

If a space is allocated for a fast food restaurant, then perhaps other big names should be considered, such as Burger King, Taco Bell or Pizza Hut.

Weymouth is not the only town facing developments. Dorchester will soon open a KFC near Tesco – the county town’s second fast food chain.

These developments may be seen as great initially, but the congestion that could be created would be unbearable, particularly the traffic on the A354. Dorset needs better infrastructure to support these new developments first.

By James Sullivan