Olympic traffic chaos predicted for Dorset hauliers

Concerns are growing that hauliers delivering into Weymouth could become caught up in chronic congestion after it emerged there may not be enough capacity on the trains for Olympic spectators.

The Dorset town is the venue for sailing competitions during the Games and, according to the Freight Transport Association, it is “the most difficult and most challenging” location outside of London.

Local reports say South West Trains is recommending people visiting Weymouth travel there by car, but the chair of the Brewery Logistics Group, Mike Bracey, says that could spell chaos: “Why the hell was this not brought up before?” he says.

“It’s stuff they must have known about for donkey’s years. It’s going to be more of a problem than London. There are 60,000 people going down there and there’s just one main road – the A354.”

Bracey adds: “There’s hardly any hours to get in and out. Everybody is trying to get in to do their deliveries early in the morning. We might get away with it, but it’s another aspect we just don’t know about.”

Dorset Olympic Board Chairman Angus Campbell says it is likely that all transport options will be busy but he says: “We have planned and tested for every scenario for the last three years and have contingency plans in place.”

FTA head of policy Natalie Chapman says many deliveries will be made overnight due to heavy restrictions during the day and adds: “If anybody is delivering down there: check out the location of Park and Rides and be aware that they may be busier at certain times of day.”