WEYMOUTH'S long-awaited relief road is no nearer to being built than seven years ago, a senior councillor claimed.

Hillary Cox told Dorset County Council's cabinet that progress on the £54.6 million road took "two steps back for every one forward".

She claimed there were still major doubts about the project, which finally received Government backing for funding plans last month.

The Conservative councillor's comments come just a day after former Tory MP Ian Bruce hit out at Labour representatives who said South Dorset MP Jim Knight had progressed the scheme more than Mr Bruce had in 14 years.

Councillor Cox told county councillors that while she supported the road project, any failure of the scheme would be a "huge risk" to the authority.

She said: "This council is committed to the relief road and it is clear that the people of Weymouth want it.

"But it seems to me that for every step we take forward we go two backwards.

"We are no nearer to building the road than we were seven years ago when funding was pulled.

"And let's not forget that there is still considerable risk of that happening at the 11th hour again.

"We will be going into a pot nationally for funding and we've just got to hope we come to the top of that pot."

Compulsory purchase orders and planning permission for the road - which later lapsed - was initially given in 1997.

But finance for the project - through conventional funding rather than more expensive private finance - was only secured earlier this year.

The road is expected to open in 2010.

Coun Jim Churchouse told the meeting: "There will be problems ahead that we will have to face up to before we get the result we all want.

"But we have made a lot of progress recently and we should all continue to work together for the good of the local community."

Miles Butler, environmental services director, said: "There will be inevitable objections to the road but it is important we see it through."

Coun Mike Byatt added: "Our message is that the road will happen, let's get on with it."

Council leader Tim Palmer said: "It is everyone's hope here that the road will be built - I look forward to the day we can see the ribbon cut."