Rodwell: Road is 'carnage' due to port's shuttle buses

The Rodwell residents have hit out after MSC Virtuosa, one of the largest cruise ships that visits Portland Port with a maximum capacity of 6,334 passengers, brought hundreds of visitors to the mini-roundabout at Spring Road on Thursday.

The visit was a last minute addition to the port's busy cruise calendar, with residents saying they were only informed of the extra cruise call late last month. 

When the Echo visited the scene, six buses were counted dropping off passengers within seven minutes on the residential road, which is used as the regular drop-off point for cruise passengers visiting the area and accessing nearby Weymouth harbour.

The scenes, which caused significant traffic disruption, were described as 'really awful' by one resident.

Buses were seen 'stacking' on the mini-roundabout on Spring Road (Image: Alfie Lumb) Jenny Rains has previously raised concerns over the frequency of shuttle buses in the area.

She said: “A ship wasn’t put on the schedule until late last month, it could be carrying up to 6,000 people.

“There were three outside one house, waiting for two buses and it’s creating havoc for traffic - it’s really bad.

“This is obscene. We’re not against tourists coming to our town, but it beggars belief that there are three or four other sites that could be better used. Businesses along the route to town are now closed for the winter.”

A business owner, who works from home on Rodwell Avenue, said: “It's carnage. I had three buses back-to-back outside my house, and they could literally see inside my bedroom- it blocks the light and is so bizarre - the house shakes - it’s shameful.”

The buses were waiting further up Rodwell Avenue, waiting for other buses to move (Image: Supplied)

As reported earlier this month, residents were ‘given hope’ after a decision was made to split cruise passenger drop-off locations due to the simultaneous arrival of MSC Virtuosa and MS Rotterdam. Passengers from the Virtuosa were dropped off in the usual spot at Spring Road and Rotterdam passengers were dropped off at the town centre bus stops in Commercial Road. 

Residents were left stunned in the summer after Dorset Council halted the use of North Quay as a drop off location, and complained to the council.

Another Rodwell resident said it was a shame the council car park could not continue to be used. 

He said: “That space would have been great, but people coming into town from these shuttle buses do buy stuff and it’s good for the area.”

Another Rodwell Avenue resident added: “They shouldn’t be dropped down here. It’s noisy and is a dangerous road already. I went on a 25 minute dog walk today and saw nine buses. It’s really unusual that they are not staggering them- this isn’t right.”

But a Mr Evans, who lives in Rodwell, voiced his support for the cruise ship visitors.

He said: “It seems as though the residents along the road are up in arms about it, but it doesn’t affect us.

"We want Brewers Quay to be up and running which will be fantastic. Some people don’t see the bigger picture.”

Passengers walking into Weymouth from the mini-roundabout on Spring Road (Image: Alfie Lumb) A spokesperson for Portland Port said: “Complimentary shuttle buses have used the well-established drop-off point in Spring Road to transport cruise ship passengers today.

“A lorry parked on yellow lines and the pavement cause some disruption to services for a short time. We informed Dorset Council of the issue and our on-site traffic marshals worked to minimise congestion.

“We made road space bookings for this cruise call as usual, in accordance with guidance and conditions laid down by Dorset Council.”

Dorset Council has been approached for comment.