Despite heavy campaigning from environmental pressure groups, the Weymouth Relief Road has got the go ahead. The Department for Transport (DfT) has confirmed that it will invest up to £79.2 million in Dorset County Council’s 7km single carriageway Weymouth Relief Road – and other associated improvements to existing roads.
TheGreenCarWebsite.co.uk covered the campaign against the road lead by Bypassthebypass.org and the Campaign for Better Transport. The construction of the road would cut through unique countryside and cause extensive damage to an ‘Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’ and a ‘Site of Special Scientific Interest’.
Transport Minister, Paul Clark said:
“I have carefully considered all of the views for and against the scheme. In addition and as made clear when we confirmed the Statutory Orders for the scheme in September 2008, we are satisfied that alternatives to the Relief Road, including non-road options, have been thoroughly investigated by Dorset County Council. It is clear that the case for a Relief Road has been made and that it is a necessary and a fundamental element of an integrated transport strategy to achieve the economic, environmental, social and employment needs of the area.”
