WESSEX Water has made a dramatic U-turn on plans to close one of Weymouth’s busiest roads.

The company has bowed to public pressure after an outcry about plans to close Littlemoor Road for two months of the summer.

Following a storm of protest, the decision to close the road from the Dorchester Road junction from July 13 has been abandoned.

Businesses and residents claimed the disruption would have had a devastating effect on the area.

Wessex Water will instead close the road for two weeks, increase manpower and work through the night from 7.30pm to 6.30am.

However, the scheme to replace the water main will still take two months but the road will remain open for the remainder of the work period.

A spokesman said: “Wessex Water hopes to complete the work over a two-week period within the two months it has been granted the road closure for to reduce inconvenience to residents and motorists.

“Although Dorset County Council’s highways department had agreed the road closure for a two-month period it is very unlikely that we will need the road to be closed to through traffic throughout this time.

“We are aware that any road closure can cause disruption, which is why we have chosen to carry out this section of work in the evening to minimise any impact to residents and businesses.”

Traders at Littlemoor Shopping Centre welcomed the decision.

Ryan Drage, manager of Daniel’s Fish and Chips said: “That’s brilliant – really good news.

“Being closed from 7.30 is a hell of an improvement as we will get more of a passing trade.

“It will be much better and the business should not be too affected now.”

Kris Ainger, technician at Rowlands Pharmacy, welcomed the news.

She said: “That is so much better. It’s fabulous.

“Why did they not do that in the first place?”

Following the turn around Steve Perry, leaseholder at the New Inn pub on Littlemoor Road, said: “We couldn’t get by without the summer trade, so it is a big deal for us.

“It would have affected passing trade, which is big news for us.

“It could been disastrous and would have strangled the town.

“Let’s hope they don’t change their minds this time.”

Sonia Fraga, co-owner of Elegance Hair and Beauty, said: “It’s wonderful news.

“We already had clients saying it was going to be difficult for them to get to us for appointments.”

Jesty’s Avenue residents had also called for Wessex Water to think again. Many said it would lead to intolerable traffic congestion and to delays getting to and from work.

Older residents said it would mean long journeys to shops, local amenities and the doctors’ surgery.

One pensioner said that he would have had to take four separate bus trips to collect his pension at Littlemoor Post Office if the closure had gone ahead as planned.