Traffic chaos as road works start

Motorists are being warned of delays on Portland Beach Road from Monday as traffic control will be in use for around four weeks as workers lay a new length of gas main near the tank farm.

The work is set to cause lengthy delays for traffic at peak times and drivers are being urged to allow plenty of time for their journeys.

Weymouth and Portland Borough Council senior traffic engineer Richard Penny said: "The work on Portland Beach Road is going to cause delays, especially at peak times as it is a busy main road.

"Drivers should make sure they leave themselves lots of time for their journeys and I would urge people to be patient."

Also from Monday, East Street in the town centre will be closed for a week while Wessex Water carries out work to a sewer.

The road closure will start at the East Street/Market Street junction and all light traffic will be diverted into Maiden Street, then from Bond Street to the Esplanade.

Heavy traffic will be diverted into Custom House Quay. East Street between Mitchell Street and St Alban Street will revert to two-way traffic for the period to allow those using Governors Lane car park to access Custom House Quay.

The road under the Town Bridge remains closed while work is carried out as part of the Tidal Defence scheme and diversions will be in operation for through traffic.

St Georges Road on Portland will be closed while workers lay a replacement gas main and Reforne, near Easton Square, will remain closed while work continues on the installation of a new sewer.

Resurfacing work on the Ridgeway, between Weymouth and Dorchester, is due to start on June 10 and it is thought the work will last for three weeks.

Motorists are being warned of the delays and are being asked to prepare their journeys well in advance.

Mr Penny added: "It is inevitable that there will be delays when work starts on the Ridgeway and we will be issuing more information about the work."