Dorset Highways will be starting a programme of cycleway repairs in the New Year, to support active travel in the Weymouth area.
Many of the sites are suffering from extensive cracking, deformation and subsidence – with longitudinal defects posing a particular problem for cyclists, where wheels could get caught in the gaps.
The programme of proactive repairs will start in January and run through to the end of March.
From 10 January to 1 February the shared-use path alongside Weymouth Rugby Club, behind Symonds Close, will be closed. Work includes installing a root protection system for the trees, to stop them pushing up the surface of the path, before resurfacing the area. A gravel section between the rugby club and Lodmoor Country Park will also be upgraded.
On 27, 28 and 31 January, Radipole Park Drive will be closed to cars, pedestrians and cyclists between 9am and 4pm for the cycleway to be resurfaced, which is in poor condition, and the markings refreshed.
From 28 January to 17 February the Preston Beach Road footpath and cycleway next to the nature reserve will be closed 24-hours-a-day. The section between the household recycling centre and Overcombe Corner is being resurfaced, and the section from the HRC to the skate park is being widened and resurfaced.
In addition to the repairs, a 400m circular section of the Weymouth Park and Ride overflow site will have drainage improved and be given a fresh surface to create an informal running track.
This area is already used by local runners, as well as families teaching children to ride their bikes, and the new surface will keep it in good condition for the benefit of the local community.
Other sites scheduled for repairs in 2022 also include:
- cycleway around the back of Weymouth Swimming Pool
- National Cycleway Network (NCN) trailway between Maiden Newton Station and Chilfrome Lane
- NCN route from Lower Lewell to Wool
- Weymouth Relief Road cycleway sections
- cycleway ramp from Spa Road onto Weymouth Way cycleway
- Rodwell Trail sections
Clearance of encroaching verges will also improve access along the Chickerell Link Road cycleway and along the cycleways on Monkton Hill and Stinsford Hill.
Would you also include the pathway halfway across the Portland Beach Road.
Paul
Encroaching verges particularly need trimming back between Charminster and Stratton.
Weymouth has a great cycle network, but it’s let down by a few small things.
The biggest is the link between the end of Radipole Park Drive, and where the cycle path starts by the side of Morissons. It seems one side of Icen Road could be easily turned into a cycle lane to link these. All the houses along here have driveways, and there is no need for onroad parking on both sides of the road.
The other would linking up the cycle path along Littlemoor Road that ends near Chalbury Corner. Would be far safer if it linked up better.
A huge thank you for so many improvements, and for all the maintainance