PART of Weymouth’s Olympic legacy is to be scrapped as Dorset County Council moves to save more cash.

Real Time Passenger Information (RTPI) digital signs will be taken out of 17 bus stops in Weymouth and Portland next week after almost three years of problems.

The council says the signs which will be removed are at unused stops or in places where, due to mobile signal, up-to-date information isn't available.

In the current financial climate, a decision has now been made to remove the signs rather than continue to spend money on them.

It comes two-and-a-half years after RTPI was installed as part of the £16m Olympic transport package, which also included the controversial move to replace roundabouts with traffic lights.

There have been problems with RTPI at certain locations in the borough since it started and earlier this year DCC had to replace the system at the King's Statue stops.

Work will begin next week to replace the 17 RTPI bus stops with a standard bus stop 'flag'.

It could not be confirmed how much money will be saved from the changes.

Cllr Mike Byatt, who represents Weymouth on DCC, said while the decision is a U-turn, it is an understandable one.

He added: “This is a recognition that despite all efforts, RTPI has been shown not to be performing in some areas. It is appropriate to bite the bullet and move on, putting into place something more practical.”

RTPI will still be available at all but the 17 stops affected and passengers can also access the information online.

A DCC spokesman said: "The RTPI equipment will still be on the buses and this information will still be online and via mobile. The information relies on mobile data signal to transmit the real time information to the bus stops and this has been problematic. Passengers should be able to rely on the displayed information and although we have tried to get this system working consistently we have been unable to guarantee it.

“By changing the signs the council will not only save money on power supply but also on electrical testing carried out every two years.

"The exact savings have yet to be calculated but these will also include savings from mobile data charges."

David Harris, of Weymouth and Portland Access Group, which supports people with disabilities, said the removal of RTPI is something the group has faced with ‘resigned acceptance’.

“It’s always been difficult to get reception across the area. We accept the information is available on mobile phones, but not everyone has the technology.”

Resident and bus user Ken Whatley echoed the concerns.

“There are a lot of elderly people in the area and they won’t be able to access the information online.

“This was brought in as part of the Olympic legacy. They must have known then how much it would cost but they don’t seem to be able to say now how much they will save.”

First Bus did not respond to a request for comment.

The bus stops that will be changed are:

O Quay (NW-bound), Mereside Rd, Portland

O Quay (SE-bound),Mereside Rd, Portland

John Gregory (SW-bound), Radipole Lane, Southill, Weymouth

Drake Avenue (N-bound), Glennie Way, Chickerell, Weymouth

Nat'l Sailing Academy (NW-bound), Hamm Beach Road, Portland

Nat'l Sailing Academy (SE-bound), Hamm Beach Road, Portland

Sealife Centre (SW-bound), Preston Road,Weymouth

Pavilion Theatre (W-bound), Weymouth

Marks & Spencer (N-bound), Weymouth

Lennox Street (N-bound), Dorchester Road, Weymouth

Top of Rise (NE-bound), Southill, Weymouth

Dennis Road (N-bound), Abbotsbury Road, Weymouth

Dennis Road (S-bound), Abbotsbury Road, Weymouth

Army Camp (N-Bound), Chickerell, Weymouth

Radipole Roundabout (SE-bound), Field Barn Drive, Weymouth

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Dental Surgery (SE-bound), Chickerell Rd, Weymouth

Fire Station (W-Bound),North Quay,Weymouth

More information about bus timetables and information can be found at www.dorsetforyou.com/travel-dorset/bus