Due to Portland's one way system we have seen some crazy traffic situations over the last few months and we had another today when there was an oil spill in Fortuneswell, apparently due to a bus leaking diesel which wouldn't surprise me seeing how often the damn things break down.During the summer here there were a couple of accidents, as unfortunate as they are, the traffic build up was something we simply can't cope with here. Granted if there is an accident on the beach rd causeway there is little to be done.
We don't need another road there but we certainly do need some form of alternative route from victoria square up to tophill and vice versa, if only to be used in emergencies or by the emergency services and big vehicles.
There was always a way using the road that runs around from the port area up to the grove.
I think it is a shame that route was never considered for use when the port changed hands, if that had been done all those years ago it would've been so much better in these situations.
One time you could go through chiswell and up high street to the turning at Hambro road (as shown in the stone ship post on here), although that was dangerous seeing how thin high street is, but nevertheless it was stopped and not replaced with any alternative.
Had the Olympics been now, today, they would have avoided this crazy snarl up today...somehow!
It's nothing new I admit, we have always had to deal with the fact it's one way on, one way off with this Island and have always had the snarl ups, yet we have never done anything to change it.
Why not?
I've written to the Chief Constable Rob, saying that I can see no reason why 2 policemen could be based, one is Victoria Square, the other at the Legion Corner with walkie talkies and each could let so many vehicles through at a time. Yes, it would be slow but stuff would be moving. I was on a bus sometime during the past few years and we were diverted this way,so I know it is possible. All it takes is a bit of common dog to do this and after all part of our extortionate council tax does go toward the police funding which I reminded the Chief Constable of. Whether I get a reply is another thing. I also wrote to the mayor asking about a vehicle and sand being kept on the island as a Weymouth & Portland council lorry was escorted over to the island by a police vehicle while we were sitting in the ludicrous queue. Again, a reply may be forthcoming, who knows. I did mention their 'precious' olympics to the mayor. Will keep you posted if any reply.
ReplyDeleteyeah was a great way to spend 2 and a half hours of the beginning of me few days off and i did notice there was a couple of roots they could of sent the traffic flowing on to the island with
ReplyDeletefrom pete a
Hiya Sylv,
ReplyDeleteI agree that would work, wouldn't have any excuse with communications being so easy these days, it takes no thought to just do something like that anyway, after all isn't that part of their job?
Will be interesting to see if you get a response.
Seems crazy to think we have big sand pits on new road...are they empty?
If so, wonder why?
We can never rely on the council to do anything right.
Hey Pete,
ReplyDeleteTwo and a half hours?
That's bad, can walk it faster than that :o/