Final changes to be made to road layout at Custom House Quay

They exact road layout at Custom House Quay in Weymouth will be decided on the 30 September

Author: George SharpePublished 22nd Sep 2021

Dorset Council will be starting work this October to improve the layout along Custom House Quay in Weymouth.

Starting on Monday 4 October, Dorset Highways will start work to improve road drainage and install the final road surface following the removal of the disused railway tracks.

As part of the road reinstatement, the council is taking the opportunity to improve the mixed-use area, with residents having been consulted earlier this year on proposals to enhance the harbour area for families, hospitality businesses and active travel.

The exact layout will be determined on Thursday 30 September, when the Dorset Council Western and Southern Area Planning Committee will consider the Traffic Regulation Orders for the proposed layout.

Cllr Ray Bryan, Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel and Environment, said:

“We always planned to return to Custom House Quay at the start of October, after the busy tourist season, to carry out drainage and final surfacing works for the track removal project.

“We await the decisions on the TROs for the visual layout of the road, to confirm where the harbour side kerbline should run. The decision on the cycle lane does not affect the design on that side of the road.”

He added:

“This is an exciting time for Weymouth, with work also due to start at the train station on 18 October, subject to planning consent. The many partners that have helped to shape the plans hope that the work will enhance the experience of all station users and will bring benefits to residents, businesses, commuters and visitors.”

Work along Custom House Quay will be carried out in the same way as during the removal of the disused tracks – with the road closed in sections to provide a safe working area while keeping as much access along the route as possible.

Work will be carried out in the following sections:

• From 4 October to 30 October, road closed between St Mary Street and Maiden Street

• From 1 November to 11 December, road closed between Maiden Street and East Street

• From 3 January to 5 February, road closed between East Street and South Parade

• From 7 February to 5 March, road closed between South Parade and Pilgrims Way

• From 7 March to 9 April, road closed from Pilgrims Way to Esplanade

Work in each area will:

• Remove the existing kerbing (building side) and install drainage pipes, gullies and connections

• Install a new kerbline and remove slabs from the footway

• Lay new slabs

• Install new road edging to mark wider footway on harbour side of the carriageway

Final surfacing of the road will be carried out in March, along with the imprinting works for the carriageway and footway.

While not part of these planned works, a decision on the future of the safety barriers around Weymouth Harbour will be made by councillors later this year.

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