ANGRY councillors have refused to approve the county's plan for the future because it ignores improving the road on to Portland.

The proposed Western Route between Ferrybridge and Chickerell was deleted from the Dorset Structure plan and no alternatives have been put forward.

Members of Weymouth and Portland Borough Council's environment and conservation committee unanimously agreed to make an official objection to the changes.

The Dorset Structure Plan marks out where economic and housing development should be concentrated in the county. Although Dorchester, Portland and Weymouth will account for 15 per cent of the growth according to the long-term plan, mainly in job creation, there is not enough emphasis on improving the roads to support businesses.

The borough's principal planning officer, Karyn Punchard, told councillors at last night's meeting: "We are not surprised that the Western Route was deleted because of the potential environmental impact on the Fleet.

"What it does not do is propose any alternative, and this is where we have a problem with it."

She pointed out that the potential 'corridors' to Portland along Lane-house Rocks Road and Buxton Road could be investigated.

"A study has not been undertaken and we do not know what options might be available," she added.

Coun Les Ames, an independent representative for Tophill West, said an improved route on to Portland was essential for islanders and criticised claims that the Western Route would irreparably damage wildlife.

He said: "Before Weymouth Way was built, everybody said it would destroy the habitat and now after all these years it has done the exact opposite. But if the corridor was built, there would be no need for the Western Route."

The councillors called for an integrated approach to planning the investment into the roads.

Coun John Birtwistle, Liberal Democrat representative for Weymouth East, said: "I can't see the point of building this Orange Route into Weymouth when we don't have some means of getting the traffic to Portland. We have had all these people campaigning for something that is going to move the traffic jam from the Littlemoor lights to somewhere near Safeway. We need some way of getting the traffic on to Portland."