Yahoo News 'Not viable': Residents remain 'disappointed' at cruise ship bus drop-off point
RESIDENTS remain 'disappointed' at a shuttle bus drop-off point for cruise ship passengers - as hundreds more visitors arrived.
Buses are continuing to use the narrow roads behind Brewers Quay to drop off and pick up Portland Port cruise ship tourists who visit Weymouth for the day.
It was believed the North Quay car park would be used as an alternative location for the buses from the end of June - but Dorset Council has since said this will be a contingency only.
It is allowing Portland Port to continue using Spring Road but with conditions in place including not allowing the 'stacking' of vehicles, advanced signage to be put in place and deploying marshals.
Shuttle bus picking up Portland Port passengers (Image: Alfie Lumb)READ MORE: Rodwell residents suggest new location for shuttle buses
Wednesday of this week saw two cruise ships - carrying a total of 4,000 people between them - stop off at the port.
It was observed that no buses were stacking at Spring Road, with one being moved on whilst another arrived.
Three members of security were at the scene monitoring the situation.
One local resident said: "It's a peculiar place to drop people off with it being so close to that mini-roundabout. It takes more manpower to shepherd people around and make sure everyone is safe."
Two members of security on hand at the roundabout (Image: Alfie Lumb) Another added: "It's disappointing because I thought they would be moving to North Quay, but they are still using this small road."
A resident of Newberry Road, said: "It's dangerous to have buses continue using the drop-off point because it is a blind bend.
"It's nice to have the tourism in the area but they are being quintessentially dropped off at a building site. It just is not right.
Car manoeuvring around a bus on Spring Road (Image: Alfie Lumb) "There are plenty of people here to make sure nothing goes wrong, but their cars and vehicles are also taking up space along the road.
"I thought North Quay car park was a brilliant idea, and I hope that when the developments in that area finish, then maybe it could be used, because this is not a viable long term solution."
