Olympic campaign: Come and join the party in Weymouth and Portland

The Echo is joining forces with Olympics organisers to get the message out that this is the place to be over the coming weeks after a low turnout over the opening days of the sailing events.

Team GB sailors have also thrown their weight behind the push to get people to the games.

We would urge everyone to use social networks to spread the word that Weymouth and Portland is open, there are no travel problems, plenty of parking, accommodation available, lots of entertainment and great sailing with real medal prospects.

On Twitter you can use #weymouth2012, #weymouth and #cometoweymouth to get the message out.

Use Facebook and friends across the country to join in and help welcome the world to Weymouth and Portland.

The message is to show the world our pride in our home town and encourage them to be part of the biggest event in the area’s history.

Organisers have already acted to reduce prices at park and ride sites and attractions have lowered prices to attract the crowds.

A spokesman for the local 2012 Operation Team said: “While the ticketed venue at the Nothe has been sold out on Monday and Tuesday, visitor numbers have generally been below what was expected.

“However, the local authorities and their partners have responded quickly by amending messages about traffic and transport to welcome visitors to the borough and highlight the capacity that is currently in the road and public transport networks.

“Messaging campaigns have continually highlighted how much is going on in Weymouth and the varied number of predominantly free of charge attractions.

“There is a great deal on offer in Weymouth and evidence on social media channels has overwhelmingly indicated that those who are visiting have had a fantastic experience.

“Dorset County Council’s highways department also responded to comments from local taxi companies about localised town centre traffic restrictions by amending restrictions to allow greater access and two-way traffic flow.

“Park & Ride prices have been reduced from £12 with a booking fee of £2.50 down to a total of £10 with no booking fee.

“Estimated visitor numbers in the town at sites including the Live Site, Bayside Festival, Sports Arena, Nothe, Pavilion, Town Centre and remaining beach was around 27,000 on Monday.”

‘We’re listening to concerns’

Councils say they are speaking to local businesses who claim trade have been hard hit.

A spokesman said: “We have listened to local businesses who have contacted the council about concerns over lower than usual trade.

“Weymouth & Portland Borough Council has been approached over the last few days by a number of local traders who have expressed concerns over visitor numbers attending the Olympic events.

“2012 Operations staff have responded to these individual enquiries and in a number of cases have amended operations to address specific concerns.

“For example, a number of business around the train station indicated that volunteers were directing people towards the Live site and other town centre venues that meant visitors would bypass their outlets.

“The volunteer control responded by amending instructions so that visitors would be made aware of a number of alternative options for moving in and around the town.

“Dorset County Council’s highways department also responded to comments from local taxi companies about localised town centre traffic restrictions by amending restrictions to allow greater access and two-way traffic flow.”

During the first few days of the Games, traffic has flowed freely in and out of the town and public transport has been running to schedule as visitors travel to the borough to get involved with the Games.

There are four local park and ride sites available for visitors to use and people can book these in advance or pay on the day.

Accommodation is still available in the borough.

For booking information and for more ideas about what there is to see and do in Weymouth and Portland and Dorset this summer please visit www.visit-dorset.com