IT is fair to say that Weymouth has changed a lot in the last 10 years.

Whether you're a long-standing resident or have recently relocated to the area, a number of developments, road upgrades, multi-million investments and new businesses have all transformed the town.

We visited each of these locations and with the use Google Maps, we can see what streets looked like in the seaside town a decade ago and compare them with today.

Here's what has happened to some key areas of the town.

Curtis Fields

Dorset Echo: Curtis Fields in October 2009Curtis Fields in October 2009

The Betterment Properties site is arguably one of the biggest housing developments in Weymouth in recent years.

Built on a field off Chickerell Road, the land formerly hosted a scout camp and was classed as a town green in 2000 before Betterment Properties bought 46 acres of the site in 2004. A photo of the land from October 2009 can be seen above.

Betterment Properties was granted permission to build 180 homes as well as flats, offices and a shop on the site and a further 500 homes on the land following a lengthy legal battle.

Construction began in 2015 and after five years, two phases have been built along with a popular Co-operative store, flats and offices and a new road junction.

Dorset Echo: Entry to Curtis Fields development Entry to Curtis Fields development

Areas of the estate have also been landscaped, with green space and water running through the site.

Phase three is currently under construction with a new wave of houses available to buy in 2021.

Custom House Quay

Dorset Echo: How Custom House Quay has changed from 2010 (left) to 2020 (right)How Custom House Quay has changed from 2010 (left) to 2020 (right)

The harbourside road has largely remained unchanged, but a few developments have begun in recent months.

The road was also closed to traffic in the Summer this year as part of social distancing measures and to support the area's pubs and businesses.

Work to remove the railway tracks are currently underway in sections, with traffic again blocked from driving on this road. 

Further along the harbour and towards Commerical Road, railway tracks have been removed and the road has been resurfaced.

Former fire station, North Quay

Dorset Echo: The fire station site in July 2011 (top) and in July 2018 (below)The fire station site in July 2011 (top) and in July 2018 (below)

Firefighters moved to a new £8.5m state-of-the-art base in Radipole Lane incorporating a community fire station and safety centre in July 2011.

After firefighters moved out, the building was used during the 2012 Olympics for storage.

The historic site was demolished by the McCarthy & Stone and Harbour Lights Court was built in its place.

Harbour Lights Court was built in 2015 and has 43 one and two-bedroom flats for people over the age of 60.

The property made the news in January 2019 after a vehicle crashed into one of the pillars at the front of the building, which caused damage to the building.

Police, ambulance, and fire crews attended the scene outside Harbour Lights Court retirement flats next to the harbour crossroads in North Quay.

It was determined that there was no major structural damage to the building with only minor damage caused. 

Gas holder off Westwey Road

Dorset Echo: The gas holder site in 2010 (above) and how the site looks in 2020 (below)The gas holder site in 2010 (above) and how the site looks in 2020 (below)

Once known as one of Weymouth's biggest eyesores, the disused gas holders have been redundant for a number of years.

Such structures are no longer required due to developments in gas pipe technology and were demolished in late 2018.

The site is now barren and is earmarked for redevelopment. 

Jubilee Retail Park

Dorset Echo: Jubilee Retail Park in 2010Jubilee Retail Park in 2010

Ten years ago, you could pop over here to visit Comet, Currys, do your weekly shop at Aldi or have a cheeky burger at McDonalds.

But in 2020, the site has not largely changed. McDonald’s remains here following a refurbishment, Currys became Currys PC World following a company shake-up and Pets at Home, Carpet Right and Matalan remain here.

Comet shut its doors in 2012 and was replaced with Sports Direct but one major change is the loss of Aldi,

The supermarket has relocated to a new supermarket off Mercery Road as part of the Weymouth Gateway project.

Dorset Echo: Jubilee Retail Park in WeymouthJubilee Retail Park in Weymouth

Food Warehouse, run by Iceland, will replace the supermarket and will sell frozen, chilled, and fresh food as well as homeware, cleaning products, toys, and alcohol at affordable prices.

The new supermarket will create 30 jobs and will open on Tuesday, January 19, 2021.

Jurassic Skyline Tower

Dorset Echo: How Jurassic Skyline Tower site has changed within the last few years How Jurassic Skyline Tower site has changed within the last few years

This popular attraction was planned, constructed and removed within the space of ten years.

The tower stood at 53 metres high with a clear-fronted passenger gondola which would rotate and offer 360 degrees view of Weymouth and surrounding areas.

It was largely popular with tourists and residents since opening in June 2012 and its original five-year permission was extended in 2017 for a further five years.

Soon after this, however, things started to go pear-shaped. Thirteen visitors, including an 11-week-old baby, and a member of staff, were trapped in the viewing tower in September 2017.

All of the occupants had to be airlifted to safety by a coastguard helicopter over a number of hours.

The tower was closed for a month while an investigation was carried out, but the dwindling visitors caused the tower’s owners, Merlin Entertainments, to close the attraction in August 2019.

It was dismantled and the site is now empty.

Link Park site, Chickerell

Dorset Echo: How the Link Park site in Chickerell has changed in recent yearsHow the Link Park site in Chickerell has changed in recent years

Ten years ago, this was a plot of land that was left undeveloped with no buildings in sight.

The site was bought by DJ Property, who has transformed the location into a business park as part of a multi-million investment in the area.

The move, which created hundreds of jobs, has seen Euro Car Parts, Halfords Autocentre, Topps Tiles, Toolstation and Screwfix open new stores as well as independent businesses open up.

The key development was the construction of a new Aldi supermarket, which was opened by Olympic gold medallist and Team GB hockey player Hannah Macleod in September 2017.

A Starbucks drive-thru open its doors last year, which another constructed unit lies empty.

It was previously stated that Greggs was due to open a new branch within the empty unit, yet the move never happened. 

Roundabout outside Asda

Dorset Echo:

The former Harbour roundabout, which linked Newstead Road with Boot Hill and A354, was a busy roundabout outside Asda.

The simple but effective roundabout was however one of five roundabouts demolished and replaced with a new traffic light junction as part of a £9m scheme to curb traffic congestion ahead of the 2012 Olympic events hosted in Weymouth and Portland.

The upgrade was meant with frustration and dismay from locals, which left drivers confused and caused a number of collisions over the years.

Retired postmaster Mr Burchill said in March 2011: “I haven’t met anyone who has a good word to say about the junction.

“It’s totally confusing. The council is supposedly going to make changes but how many accidents will there be before that happens?

“It’s bad enough for the people who live here – goodness knows what will happen in the summer when the town fills up.”

The junction has remained in place and continues to be a daunting experience for drivers young and old.

Weymouth Relief Road

This could easily be dubbed the biggest improvement to Weymouth’s traffic network in the past 10 years.

There were calls as far back as the 1920s for a road to relieve the main route into town and after decades of discussions, campaigns and plans, planning permission for the 4.5 mile (7km) long road was granted in April 2008.

A huge factor in its approval was the need to ease traffic during the Olympic 2012 sailing events in the town.

A video, which can be seen above, shows the construction of the road and its route in 2010.

After being completed in March 2011, the road has been successful in providing an easier route into Weymouth and improved links between the town and Dorchester.

It also helps Weymouth deal with the seasonal traffic, as tens of thousands of tourists descend upon the town every year.

Before the coronavirus pandemic, the route would frequently become congested during the rush hour commute as motorists drove to work or dropped their children off at school.