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Due to delays during the construction of the Portland Beach Road cycleway and the Chesil Beach Visitors Centre access the programme has been extended.

The cycleway works are due to be completed by the end of November 2011. Remedial works to the cycleway will be completed during December 2011.

Work to the visitors centre access is nearing completion. Final surfacing of the junction and lining will be carried out shortly.

The remaining works will continue to be carried out with minimal disruption to traffic.

What has been proposed?

The route will upgrade the existing path and provide a toucan crossing at the end of the Rodwell Trail across Portland Beach Road and is being funded by Sustrans.

To see a map marked with the proposed changes, see the Portland Beach Road Cycleway Consultation Plan (pdf, 491kb) (opens in a new window) .

When will the improvements begin?

Starting Monday 3 October, Dorset County Council will widen the existing path and install higher parapets across Ferrybridge.

This scheme has been programmed to coincide with the planned access improvements, which is part of the Chesil Beach Visitor Centre project. On Sunday 2 October, the council's highways operations service will be removing lines on the road in preparation for the work.

How long will the improvements take?

These works are expected to last around six weeks.

Plans for the future

A second phase of improvements, continuing from the visitor centre to Portland, will be built at a later stage when funding is available.

It is hoped the improvements will help residents to get on their bikes for trips to Weymouth and Portland and encourage them to leave their cars at home during the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games sailing events.

It will also go towards completing Weymouth's walking and cycling network.

• Management Engineer
  Name: Emma Baker
  Email: E.Baker@dorsetcc.gov.uk
  Tel: 01305 228257
  Full details for Emma Baker