South West Regional Development Agency

Dorset is buzzing with 2012 opportunity; as you would expect, the buzz is even louder in South Dorset and in particular in Weymouth and Portland - venue of the sailing events of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. 
 
Our strategy is to create a significant and discernable legacy by using 2012 as a catalyst, accelerant and milestone for change. We are encouraging, supporting, motivating, inspiring and helping individuals and organisations both in the private and public sectors to deliver projects and activities that map across one or more of Dorset's '12 for 2012' Legacy themes. The '12 for 2012' themes are:

1. Transport - Improved transport infrastructure and access, with the Weymouth Relief Road open and in use, and an integrated road and rail based public transport system offering improved reliability and accessibility for road-based public transport serving Weymouth and Portland with more frequent and faster trains to and from Weymouth.
2. Sailing - The creation of Europe's top international sailing venue at the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy, including improved facilities and a new marina for the benefit of the whole of Dorset.
3. Sport - Increased participation by people of all ages in sport, play and leisure activities.
4. Health - Increase in general levels of health and reduction in level of obesity in all ages of Dorset's population through more healthy, active lifestyles.
5. Marine Industries - Weymouth and Portland becomes a centre of international marine and leisure excellence with a view to stimulating Dorset's economy, increasing wage levels and providing more year round employment.
6. Economy - Improved economic opportunities for wider Dorset, with access to quality employment, where young people can see they have a future.
7. Skills - Well trained and more highly skilled people in work or volunteering to support local communities and sustain the local economy well beyond the Games.
8. Tourism - International recognition of Dorset as a desirable county to visit, that offers a warm welcome and improved customer care and quality service meeting international standards, backed up by high quality visitor accommodation.
9. Diversity - A greater understanding of diversity and multiculturalism, including improved access and facilities in the area for visitors and local people with disabilities.
10. International Profile - Sustain the enhanced international profile of Dorset and through this continue to develop interest in the Jurassic Coast World Heritage site, cultural activities and Dorset's economic offer.
11. Social & Cultural - Provide a stimulus to improvement in the social, cultural and economic fabric of Weymouth and Portland together with improving the supply of housing accommodation, including affordable housing.
12. Environment - Dorset to achieve a step change in its environmental and sustainability performance to include key areas such as energy and water use, waste & recycling, travel, food, materials and wildlife.

Progress to date

Progress, and some very significant progress, is being made in all aspects of our legacy drive. Over £400 million of 2012 inspired private and public sector investment has already been identified, in projects as diverse as new roads and marinas, to four star hotels and customer service training. The redevelopment of Osprey Quay is forging ahead and by the end of 2008 the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy will be the first UK Olympic venue to be completed. It will be used for international and national sailing events before and beyond 2012. 
 
The Dorset 2012 legacy landscape is an exciting ever changing environment in which projects happen that were not even on the event horizon six months prior to their creation.