BOSSES of a popular attraction have today hit out at the timing of planned roadworks - accusing council chiefs of 'not giving a damn' about the tourist industry.

Resurfacing work on the A354, the main link between Weymouth and Dorchester, is set to take place from June 10 for three weeks and major tailbacks are expected.

Drivers arriving in Dorset this weekend will be forced to endure delays on the M27 near Southampton, where work was due to be completed by April 1 this year.

Angry bosses at Weymouth Sea Life Park, based in Lodmoor, are worried that the extra congestion will put off visitors from coming to the area, costing them and other businesses valuable trade.

Sea Life operations director Gordon Mutton said: "I understand that road works have to be done but surely they could have taken place at a better time. The fact the council are doing them at such an important time for the industry, gives the impression that they do not give a damn about what image visitors get about the town."

He added: "If we ran our companies the way the council runs the roadworks we would be out of business."

The company is also fuming that the works on the M27 look set to carry on through next week's Jubilee bank holiday period.

Mr Mutton is now urging all affected businesses to calculate lost revenue and send a compensation demand to the Highways Agency.

Borough council engineering chief, Martyn Gallivan, said: "We have to carry out these road works in June because Wessex Water will be laying a new main on a stretch of Dorchester Road from Springfield Road to Redlands in September.

"The areas that will be resurfaced from June 10 include a part of the Ridgeway from the lay-by where it divides into three lanes so hopefully there will be minimal disruption, and a small stretch from Greenway Road to Manor Roundabout."