As part of our ongoing commitment to improving and enhancing the harbourside, we are making some changes to North Quay.
These changes are intended to complement the public realm improvements we made to Custom House Quay in 2022. The scheme will increase the space available for pedestrians to enjoy the harbourside. It will also enhance the setting of the North Quay development site, making it more attractive to investors.
The appeal of North Quay
North Quay is a highly valuable space on Weymouth’s Harbourside used by thousands of pedestrians every day. Historically, North Quay carried more traffic, but current levels have provided us with an opportunity to reduce the width of the road to create more room for pedestrians to move through and enjoy the harbour scene. We recognise how special the harbourside is and want to maximise the benefits to residents and businesses, as well as emphasising the appeal of the North Quay development site to potential investors.
The scheme
The scheme will:
- maintain a consistent design approach with other high-quality spaces around the harbourside
- increase the space available to pedestrians and reduce the carriageway width, improving pedestrian safety and accessibility
- align crossings with natural pedestrian flows and replace puffin crossings with zebra crossings
- encourage reduced traffic speeds through people centred design
- incorporate benches and planting
- enhance the setting of the development opportunity at North Quay
Scheme lay out
Download the proposal scheme layout as a PDF to zoom in and see full details. If you require this in an alternative format, please email: highwayimprovements@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk
Construction
The 20-week programme for the improvements will start on 3 November. They are due to finish in April 2026.
During this time there will be a lane closure that will only allow traffic from the ASDA junction towards the town bridge or Trinity Road. Access to North Quay car park will not change, but when leaving the car park there will not be the option to turn left.
This change in traffic will also affect bus services. Check with the bus operator for individual service changes.
Consultation
The consultation earlier this year focused on the Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) concerning the removal of parking spaces and the introduction of parking restrictions (e.g., double yellow lines and blips).
Further engagement with residents and businesses has led to several design enhancements, including:
- a proposed new access to the car park
- tactile paving to highlight the stepped arrangement near the shops
- improved access and infrastructure around the marina
- collaboration with the conservation team to retain safety features around Chapelhay Steps and adjacent areas
- removal of trip hazards near the waterfront railings
- enhanced public realm improvements, such as additional seating and landscaping
- expanded scope to address surface and lining issues on Trinity Road, including improvements to the pedestrian crossing and relocation of the eastern crossing
Loss of car parking
To achieve wider footways, we will remove some on-street parking. We are removing eight parking spaces and a motorcycle bay and installing a loading bay to enable deliveries to businesses. The bus lane will be removed because it is no longer needed.
Future proofing
There is still uncertainty about what kind of development will happen at North Quay.
It is therefore important that any changes we make now:
• do not restrict options for future developers
• are long lasting
For this reason, the area immediately in front of the temporary car park, on the southern side of the road, will see minimal change and improvements will be concentrated on the harbourside and closer to the Town Bridge.
Why zebra crossings
Zebra crossings emphasise to drivers that this is an area of pedestrian priority, and they must always give way. Zebra crossings are more suited to lower speed, pedestrian friendly environments such as the harbourside.
Funding for the North Quay Improvements
This scheme will be funded through Government funding awarded to Dorset Council to regenerate Weymouth’s Waterside Economy in 2023.