CYCLISTS are calling for better facilities in Weymouth and Portland.

They want cycle routes sorted out, secure cycle parking in the town centre and near the railway station, and safer cycle links - particularly to Portland.

These problems and deficiencies need to be sorted out before the Weymouth and Portland Review Local Plan goes to a public inquiry, say cyclists.

Members of the borough branch of the Dorset Cyclists' Network have applauded the setting up of a borough cycle route network.

But they feel Local Transport Plan claims that this had now been incorporated into the Local Plan are only partially correct.

The branch said there were problems and some routes were partially outside the borough, but it didn't want the borough and county councils to claim that only those routes identified in the Local Plan were necessary - and on that basis the borough network had been achieved.

Today's Weymouth and Portland Environmental Partnership will receive a report on the situation from branch representative Mike Kelly.

He says: "While resources may not be available to achieve a borough-wide cycle network by 2011, there are a number of matters which should be given priority in the interests of safety and encouraging cycle use.

"The Local Transport Plan proposes secure cycle parking in the town centre and the station. This is strongly supported, together with the proposal to rebuild Alexander Bridge with a ramped access bridge.

"The proposed action to complete the cycleways from the town centre to Portland, Chickerell, Broadwey, Chalbury and Southill is not fully backed up by the Local Plan.

"Most significantly, despite the valued Rodwell Trail, the route to Portland lacks a safe cycleway across the Portland isthmus and finishes in an unsatisfactory manner at Chiswell, though it is recognised that a spur should become available through Osprey Quay.

"The route to Chalbury uses the excellent Preston Beach cycleway, but there is no satisfactory linkage to the town centre.

"The Local Plan route to Lodmoor Hill has value, but a more direct route to the Esplanade would better relate to the majority of travel requirements and would be an asset to the resort."

He also identified lower speed limits on some routes, identification of a link from the railway station to the Rodwell Trail and making sure that proposals to link Dorchester with Weymouth through to Portland Bill by 2005 were marked on Plan proposals.