Years of hard work, investigation and negotiation by Dorset County Council paid off today (Thursday, 6 July)as the Government approved funding for the long-awaited Weymouth Relief Road.

The £77 million project – a key part of long-term plans to solve the area’s growing transport problems – has been given the green light, subject to planning permission and confirmation that it can be completed in time for the 2012 Olympics.

Now delighted county council chiefs are planning to start construction of the road late next year, with completion expected early in 2011.

The 3.75-mile single carriageway project has been included in the Department for Transport’s regional funding allocation (RFA) for projects to start during the next three years, announced in Parliament this morning.

Designed to relieve congestion along both the A354 from Weymouth-Dorchester and the A353 to the east, the road will be one of Dorset’s biggest-ever capital construction projects. As well as removing traffic currently clogging local roads and residential streets, the scheme will provide new or improved routes for pedestrians and cyclists.

It will also offer easier access for emergency services, reduce the likelihood of accidents and boost public transport options – supported by a 1,000-space park-and-ride facility in the Lodmoor area.

The road has widespread public support, as well as strong backing from Weymouth and Portland Borough Council, and a detailed planning application is due to be considered by the county council’s planning committee later this year. The Countryside Agency has raised concerns over the road’s possible impact on the local Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty which has delayed the granting of planning permission, but it is hoped these issues can be resolved over the next few months.

Miles Butler, the county’s director of environmental services, said:

“This is tremendous news, something we have worked towards for many years. The Relief Road will make a huge difference to everyone who lives or travels in the Weymouth-Dorchester area, and is fundamental to our Local Transport Plan for the coming years. The announcement a year ago today that Portland would host the 2012 Olympic sailing events made its timing even more critical.”

Cabinet member for environmental services Col Geoffrey Brierley added:

“We are over the moon about this announcement. This project has enormous local support and I am delighted the Government has recognised its long-term importance for Dorset.”

For more information about the Weymouth Relief Road, visit www.dorsetforyou.com/weymouthreliefroad