A DISUSED landfill site will be off limits while it undergoes a revamp as a park and ride facility.

The disused site, north of Weymouth Rugby Club, will be closed to the public from Tuesday, April 14, for it to be fenced, levelled and compacted.

Lodmoor north landfill site is getting an environmental makeover in preparation for the Weymouth Relief Road park and ride facility.

A solid layer of clay and an impermeable membrane covering will then ‘cap’ the landfill.

This membrane layer will stop rainwater entering the old landfill and slow down the amount of potentially contaminated water flowing out of it.

An area will be built to trap any water flowing from the waste and there will also be venting for gas from the landfill.

These systems will protect the local watercourses and the nearby nature reserve.

Following the work a park and ride facility will be built on part of the area and the rugby pitches will be replaced.

The remaining areas will be landscaped and returned to public access.

Dorset County Council head of highways Andy Ackerman said: “The 1,000-space park and ride will help to manage traffic in and out of Weymouth town centre and forms part of the integrated transport strategy for Weymouth and Portland.

“Construction of the park and ride also includes significantly improving two Weymouth Rugby Club pitches.”

The park and ride will be finished in spring 2010. The relief road will be open by spring 2011.