Two streets in Weymouth will be made free of traffic to make it easier for pedestrians
Weymouth and Portland Borough Council and Dorset County Council have partnered up with support from Weymouth BID to install barriers in St Mary Street and St Thomas Street.
Both streets are subject to a Traffic Control Order (TRO) which restricts vehicles from entering. Only residents, taxis and commercial vehicles can use the roads between 5.30pm and 10.30am.
A number of road users have been witnessed using the streets and potentially putting people at risk.
Traffic bollards have been installed in St Mary Street opposite the King Statue and at the junction of Bond Street opposite Pandora. A gate will be reinstalled in St Thomas Street at the junction with School Street. They will be opened and closed each day to allow unrestricted traffic through.
Cllr Jeff Cant, Leader of Weymouth and Portland Borough Council, said:
“We want to make Weymouth a better place for people to spend time and access local businesses. Having bollards in place will stop the streets being used as rat runs and vastly improve the area for people on foot. This will be good for pedestrians and good for businesses.
“This is just the start. We will be looking at further options and working with our partners at Dorset County Council and Weymouth BID to look at further pedestrianisation.”
Cllr Colin Huckle, Briefholder for Transport and Infrastructure at Weymouth and Portland Borough Council, said:
“Our aim is to reduce the amount of traffic in the centre of town. Visitors and residents need to be able to move about freely and safely. We will be looking at other roads and aiming to stop people from using them as rat runs.”
Nigel Reed, Weymouth BID Manager, said “The return of the barriers is welcomed by the BID and supported by town centres businesses. The BID is working with WPBC and DCC on this project to help improve the pedestrian environment in the town.”
