Dorset residents are being asked to highlight congested walking and cycling routes to help shape ‘pop-up’ travel infrastructure in the Dorset Council area.
With the increased demand for walking and cycling – as well as capacity issues on public transport – during social distancing measures, a £225m emergency active travel fund has been launched by the Government to support temporary improvements to sustainable transport during the pandemic.
Dorset Council has been awarded £577k and is now considering what measures could be taken to help residents with social distancing while travelling around towns, and in preparation for the restart after lockdown. Temporary solutions could include:
- widening footways, especially on high streets, to ensure that those walking and queuing for essential goods can keep apart from each other
- installing measures to restrict through-traffic from some streets to ensure that physical distancing can occur, especially on access routes to local amenities
- installing temporary cycle lanes separated from traffic, particularly on routes where cycle use is high
To help plan and focus areas of work, the council is asking residents to make suggestions using an online map to highlight areas of concern and see what issues have already been raised. All suggestions will be examined but, due to funding limitations, not all submitted ideas can be progressed.
Councillor Ray Bryan, Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel and Environment, said: “We’re committed to helping residents move safely around towns and villages during social distancing, and we recognise this will get more difficult as further restrictions are lifted.
“This is a real opportunity for transformative change in how we make short journeys and we want to get it right – enabling our residents to continue their new-found walking and cycling habits for work and leisure.
“We are already engaging with parish and town councils to understand where the immediate crowding issues are that could negate social distancing efforts on high streets, but we need help from all parts of our communities to get a clear picture of concerns and priorities across the wider Dorset Council area.”
Submit your suggestion online by end of July.
Suggestions will continually be analysed by Dorset Highways as they are submitted and prioritised by their benefit to walking, cycling and wheelchair users, with likely impacts on parking, access and delivery services taken into consideration before final schemes are submitted for funding approval.
Of the £577k awarded, £115k is for the short-term immediate measures needed to support social distancing and ensure safer town centres when shops reopen from 15 June, where town councils have played a significant role in identifying priorities.
A further £462k is available for medium-term or permanent measures, with residents being asked to highlight concerns of pavement and cycleway pinch points.
In view of the increased cycle traffic to Portland Bill, a cycle path is needed from Southwell to Portland Bill. This road has so many ‘blind spots’ with the many corners and hills that passing a cycle can be a dangerous manoeuvre for both motorists and cyclists.Please can you consider putting one there.
Agree. In fact we need to help Sustrans achieve their objective of extending Route 26 of the National Cycle Network southwards from Victoria Square / Osprey Quay to Portland Bill providing an alternative to cycling up Fortuneswell and through Easton, and down High Street going north.
The esplanade needs a permanent all day two way route taking cyclists between Preston and the town centre.
We do not have a public path outside our home so have to cross the busy A354 at Dt11 0ab which is dangerous. A zebra crossing or traffic lights would remove the risk. Please contact me.
I live in Durweston and the lane which comes down to The Mill and Mill House is classified as a bridle way. It passes through the courtyard which belongs to The Mill, kinks left over the sluices and goes onto Stourpaine, providing a good access to the Trailway, though the official access is from the main road at Stourpaine.
The lane from Durweston village to the The Mill/Mill house is a dangerous disgrace with huge deep potholes into which the MANY cyclists using this lane regularly fall after rain, when the depth of the holes is not obvious.
The lane is the access to the fields on either side and is the property of Lord Rothermere, who bought the Portman Estate. Neither the Mill not The Mill House have any responsibility to keep up this ‘bridle way’, but have well-established rights to access our properties along it.
The state of this lane is such that someone will, sooner or later, be seriously injured cycling down it. Moreover, the cyclists pose a serious danger to the mothers and children walking to school this way from Stourpaine twice daily in term time.
My lawyer has made it clear to me that I have no responsibility for the state of this ‘bridle way’ and must NOT touch it as that could be construed as an acceptance of responsibility both for upkeep and injury sustained because of the state of the lane.
Personally, I regard it as a bridle way and don’t actually care that it is dangerous for myself, but I do not want to see cyclists, who come down much too fast, either sustain serious injury OR cause serious injury to mothers and small children.
Mill Lane needs resurfacing and signing if it to continue as an access to the Trailway!
This sounds like a wonderful idea. An area that really does need addressing is at the top of Rowlands Hill. There are many walkers coming from Cranfield Avenue, walking in to town, or children
walking to school. It is extremely difficult to cross the road as it’s hard to see and the traffic comes around very quickly.
Hurrah! 🚲🚲🚲 About time
I would like something put up to underline that Lewens Lane and then onto Park Lane in Wimborne are designated cycle lanes rather than cycles flying up Leigh Road one way system the wrong way between Rodways corner and the junction with Poole road. It is an accident waiting to happen. Cars emerging from Poole road are looking left to check for traffic and suddenly cyclist fly down the wrong way. Also as the customers reverse out of the private ‘ toast rack’ parking outside 4 to 6 Leigh road.
Education on how to use the paths, but not in a condescending, “teach your gran to suck eggs” way. Try applying some of the rules of the road to the path, like keeping left unless overtaking, keeping aware of all other path users. Showing respect for all path users, this one point can’t be laboured enough. Demonising groups is what leads to problems.
Paths are “messier” than roads in that you have, for instance, a mother with several young children, perhaps one in a buggy, older people who need someone’s arm for support and of course people walking dogs. Children and dogs particularly have no idea of keeping left. You are right, though, that being aware and respecting other path users is the key. Mostly I have found people are and do, though sometimes one has to wait a little. The worst, I have found, are cyclists who pass too fast and close and make one jump.
To DCC,
Great to see more routes planned. As to exiting routes, Please can you make the crossings safer at junctions. Perhaps staggered lines in road to remind car drivers to be aware and leave room to cross. Especially on path from weymouth to Dorchester. Also to keep pathways swept of deb-re, as myself and others have had lots of puntures! Not a problem when riding on road. I’ve only seen, once or twice a small road sweeper on path. Arrows on path, Especially on corners to keep on the correct side of path. Markings for Pedestrians and cyclists would be good for safety. Also some hedges cut back for better Visibility.
Regards, Mr R Mortimore
Could the council consider funding and possibilities of a cycle route from Burton Bradstock to link up with cycle route in bridport . In view of the government advice on carbon footprint and less petrol and diesel vehicles i can see this being used a lot all year round with bus times being reduced and also consider that a few elderly and disabled people residing in Burton Bradstock getting to bridport safely with a lovely safe walk for our temporary visitors in the summer at freshwater being able to walk or cycle to town in safety. Yours sincerely .
Marnhull Village would be pleased to get the pavement from the Post Office to the junction of Ham Lane repaired to help wheel chair and disabled people walk safely and not needing to be in the road.
SID road control would also help the speeding traffic to adhere to the speed limit.
Thank you as a local in Weymouth we have a few places on shared footpath which need to be highlighted. Some signage on side roads to encourage cyclist to use the roads and not the pavements Also roads where cycling is dangerous due to car speed.
Please could funds be made available to improve the cycle way from the Barn junction on Barr Lane into Burton Bradstock. We can now go via West Bay to Bridport but the leg from Burton to Barn turn off is still hairy!
Please stop vehicles parking on pavements to allow pedestrians to continue their journey without having to step in to the road putting lives in danger. A law needs to be passed to prevent pavement parking countrywide – anyone doing so should face a hefty fine.
yes we agree, my husband is partially sighted and had had several gashed hands due to obstructing cars/vans wing mirrors sticking out which he cannot see, or cannot pass at all.
Strongly agree. Parking on pavements can be a serious hazard for children and their carers, and also to many people with disabilities.
Very strongly agree. Pavement parking is a very real hazard for the visually impaired, people with proms and small children and many more.
It is great when cycle routes are put in. My issue is that once in there seems to be very little of at all maintenance of them. Roads are swept but cycle routes left with the debris which inevitably leads to increased punctures and mechanical issues.
I welcome any increasing of the network to enable safer cycling and improved education for all.
Totally agree with that…cars should not be on the pavement…
All cycles shoul have a bell and use them !
It would be good to have a cycle lane / walking path all the way from Burton Bradstock to Bridport.
It would be within walking distance but many people use the bus as there is no footpath at present which would take you all the way.
Really good news
But please give pedestrians room to walk in two’s. Especially as half of home owners park on the pavement. We thought footpath meant for walking on.
We need a cycle path from Charlton Down into Dorchester.This was promised when we moved here over ten years ago and has not happened yet.
I agree and it would be great to make it a combined cycle/footpath. Walking along the main road (A352), where there is no pavement nor any traffic calming measures, is very scary!
Cycle/footpath from Charlton Down and Charminster To Dorchester, that is SAFE!
Also, Please improve the footpath from Top O’ Town roundabout towards Trinity Street and South Street. It is so narrow in places that you cannot pass a pushchair without stepping into the road. Lethal!!! High sided lorries come over the kerb at times. I have seen people’s bags get knocked by vehicles. Scary!
Continuation from Charminster to Cerne Abbas would be wonderful for locals and visitors alike
The A352 Cerne Abbas to Dorchester road is a very popular cycling route with no traffic calming measures or traffic warnings in place. Cars and large lorries frequently travel at speed. It would be so nice to improve the safety down this route for commuters and leisure cyclists.
Also why can the old railway between Maiden Newton and Bridport not be opened as a traffic free cycle way it would be a fantastic asset to the area, just look at the Camel Trail in Cornwall and what that has done for the local economy.
A safe cycle route from Cheselbourne to Dorchester , the routes are full of blind corners and narrow roads with little or no room to safely stop or pass. There is no bus service thus car is the only accessible means of transport
1. The pathway next to the recycling centre in Dorchester through to the West Stafford Road is very narrow and overgrown which makes it risky given social distancing rules…. using the roads to get to West Stafford from Dorchester is really challenging as drivers get very impatient so this path cuts out a large area of road…. it needs to be cleared to enable safer cycling or walking…its not very long and would not take a lot of labour or money…
2. London Road is very unsafe when cycling to Kingston Maurwood or Slyers Lane due to speeding which goes on all day every day… using the pavement is frowned upon and hampers social distancing … the road is wide enough for a cycle path but speeding would also need to be addressed to ensure safety…
A cycle path / lane starting from Wimborne Quarterjack roundabout going along the B3073 up to the old Ham Lane road just before the Canford Bottom roundabout. This would provide a link to the new Ham Lane cycle way For cyclist travelling from Wimborne
There is no proper link between the Castleman trailway from Uddens in Ferndown and the bit near Willett arms, at Oakley. I like the ham lane bit to avoid Canford bottom roundabout. If cycling along Leigh road, some parts are too narrow to feel safe and wanting to turn right off to ham lane is an accident waiting to happen if coming from Wimborne – traffic lights perhaps be put in place. While the quaterjack estate is being built perhaps put a link there to along the river straight in town.
The path along A31 from Pinehurst road going towards Ringwood could do with widening and flattening out, slopes with many pot holes. Maybe another one along the other side of A31 from Ringwood through to Boundary lane roundabout. This could be better than the Castleman during the winter as this very muddy.
Another option, put a cycle lane from Ashley Heath roundabout down the A338, linking up with path on A31.
Do see quite a many cyclist along the A31 from West moors flyover to Canford Bottom Roundabout and then to Merley Roundabout – as this is flatter and quicker than going through Ferndown/Wimborne. Maybe put traffic lights/bridge at the Ferndown estate and Police HQ roundabout on the A31 to make this safer to cross over from Uddens plantation to Cobham Road.
Guess I am saying a proper cycle lane from Ringwood, along the A31 bypassing parts or/and options to join Ferndown/Wimborne all the way to Merley or create a decent safer link up between Castleman trailway at Uddens and Merley. Castleman during the winter gets very muddy – so turning up at work muddy is not good.
Good idea
Doing this would greatly increase the danger to both residents and cyclists when people are exiting and entering their many driveways along this route.
Time to work out how to make Lyme Regis Main Street a pedestrian precinct?
Great Idea. For walking there’s the new path from Charmouth Road Car Park down the cliff and into Lyme.
Make both Cart Road and Marine Parade in Lyme Regis Non cycling. It is impossible to social distance with cyclists weaving around pedestrians. Make the footpath along the river Lim, between Lyme Regis and Uplyme Non cycling as it is impossible to social distance on sometimes very narrow paths, causing major problems for pedestrians.
I find Shaftesbury high street difficult to manage due to cars and social distancing for boots and other places . At this time would it be possible to shut the high street to passing travel . It is also made worse as satnav’s seem to direct traffic through the town . I realise delivery would have to use the street
The top end of South Street in Bridport should be pedestrian and cycles only. By doing this you avoid the pedestrian constriction points around the town hall as the railings around the town hall could be moved out into East Street and South Street. It would be a major improvement.
I do not object to cyclists but it says no cycling between the Sealife Centre and town 10-5 pm daily in the summer this is always ignored but nothing is ever done about it WHY? When you ask people to dismount your get the usual finger of a mouthful of abuse…
Also I do not understand why you allow cycling on the Esplanade walkway between the Sealife Centre and Preston when there is a cycle lane which is never used! What a waste of money that was!
It seems to me that no matter how many cycle lanes you put in cyclists will always cycle where they wish until you start issuing fines!
I agree. Every time I go out I am confronted by cyclists cycling on the pavement with no regard for pedestrians. They are often travelling very fast and approach from behind with no warning. On occasions they have even brushed past me and made physical contact and at other times I have been forced onto the road as the cyclist whizzes by happily on the pavement!
My suggestions;
Do Not remove Tram lines but re-introduce the Trams.
Have Wider cycle lanes on busy routes.
Have a look at how to Access the Granby ind estate from areas of Weymouth and also Portland…..that’s where people drive one person per car there and back to work….And Obvious difficulty for cyclists due to the hills…and no direct bus routes . Maybe Buses for bikes?
Pedestrianise more areas.
The High Street needs regeneration .
I would like to see a proper cycle route between Crossways and Dorchester, the roads are just not safe to cycle on. It would definitely encourage more to cycle as its only 5 miles.
Brilliant! This is a wonderful & unique opportunity to harnass and support the current enthusiasm for non motorised transport by residents across the county. This should not be considered as an expense but as a brilliant investment by our Council; an investment into people’s health & well being and the future of our world class environment. It will be repaid many times over by reduced demands on the NHS through healthier & happier populations. To make this more achievable, I think we need to follow the example of the likes of Cambridge and european towns and cities, which embrace shared routes for pedestrians and cyclists and foster a mutually respectful useage of these routes; ‘Ring your bell’ ‘Say thank-you’, ‘Smile and say hello to other users’. This is a moment where we can ‘plug the gaps’ to link the villages and towns and our existing pedestrian & cycle routes across Dorset and make it the most walker/cycle friendly county in the UK . Please let’s make it happen.
1. Fund traffic wardens to fine all vehicles parking on footways, pavements and cycleways. This should soon become self financing .
2. Ensure the safety of pedestrians by restricting cyclists to roads, signed cycleways and footways/ pavements of sufficient width only.
3. Restrict motorised scooters as for cyclists and their speed to 10mph.
4. To implement the above, use the funding to widen footways/ pavements so discouraging vehicle usage.
New Road Bournemouth between northbourne and west parley…im sick of walking on the pavement with cyclists on there too with helmets on heading directly for me with no consideration of path width and pushing me into oncoming traffic or hedges! Something needs to be done down this road.
Some paths badly need to be widened round Lodmoor Nature reserve, particularly the norther section. It’s very busy with walkers, joggers and cyclists. I get buzzed already by both. No chance now of 2m distancing.
1) To walk or cycle or ride a mobility scooter between Marnhull and Hinton St. Mary is very dangerous. What could be done about that, please?
2) Any improvement to foot/cycle paths into Dorchester Town Centre, in order to encourage users of mobility scooters too, would be a good idea. If we can be independent of public transport, so much the better.
Thank you so much for your comments. Please make sure you add your suggestions to the engagement map: https://dorsetsafestreetsmap.commonplace.is/
I have no objections to the proposals, but I would ask the Council to put pressure on the Government to make it mandatory for all cyclists to have warning instruments fitted, I.e. bells or horns. Elderly pedestrians are often caught unawares of the approach of cyclists when walking on unpaved roadways, or crossing the road. Modern cycles are much faster and quieter now than they were in times gone by. This is, in my opinion as an ex police officer, a serious safety issue!
Let`s become pretty radical. Nearly all roads in town should become for use of pedestrians, electric vehicles, and cycles only. In the case of High West and East St. delivery vehicles and regular buses would have to be an exception. We need to promote the use of mobility scooters, for example amongst the wider population than the disabled. This would mean that our target will be the exclusion of all privately owned internal combustion engined vehicles from Dorchester centre.
I would like to put forward the idea of a safe walking and cycling route that links the Bride Valley to Bridport and West Bay. There has been a huge increase in the number of cyclists on the stretch of the B3157 between Burton Bradstock and Bridport in recent months. As traffic levels return to normal the route is increasingly hazardous for cyclists as there are narrow sections and blind bends.
A way needs to be found to give cyclists more space on rural roads. Consideration should be given to existing rights of way and to change the designation to open up more footpaths for cyclists to use. Landowners should be incentivised to open up rights of way and make more land available for safe separated cycle and foot paths to be built.
In Bridport more space should be given to pedestrians and cyclists and other traffic should be restricted. If the footways were widened it would allow pedestrians and those queuing enough safe space. It would improve the character of Bridport if the market was given more space and cafes had more outdoor space. A reduction in the space for vehicles and restricting through –traffic would allow this to happen and make the town centre a much safer environment for everyone.
A further measure to make urban areas safer for pedestrians and cyclists would be to reduce the speed limit to 20mph in towns and villages. In Burton Bradstock the speed of through traffic is of great concern to residents who fear for their safety especially as there are no safe crossing points on the B3157.
An opportunity to implement the long overdue cycle route promised from Motcombe to Gillingham. During lockdown it has been wonderful to see so many families riding around Motcombe. Wouldn’t it be good if this new hobby could be enhanced by being able to cycle into Gillingham for visits to the Leisure Centre, shopping etc
Make East Orchard Village road one way road and add a pavement with a cycle root
We live in Ashley Heath with a once quiet old railway line behind us, we could take a slow amble looking at wildlife or slow cycle to the river, or go to our local shop. It is now a NIGHTMARE since Lock down the Lycra Brigade without bells and NO thought for others, the families 4 abreast not moving over , sweaty runners on our heels, noise in fact it can get very noisy at times.
Council widened the track at Bird nesting season just for people, I know what I would rather see.
I realise people are going to think what a miserable person but this influx of mostly outsiders is destroying a once quiet area and its wild life.
I am a keen cyclist and have been for many years but I do feel that cyclists should not be allowed on the promenade as it is very crowded with walkers and runners. There are other routes that cyclists can take for commuting from Bournemouth to Poole.
It would also be useful to have a designated cycle path not shared with pedestrians in and out of Wimborne.
To make cycling safer a good idea would be to have a 20mph speed limit for road traffic on Shore Road in Poole as there are many children cycling on the cycle path.
Can I suggest that rather than ‘widening footpaths’ (permanently I presume) the council instead spends the money on temporarily widening them with the use of cones or other traffic management equipment.
To spend money on adding an extra foot or two on each side of a road permanently will cost an absolute fortune (probably more than the total grant).
Please can we keep the 2M markers where already installed and continue to emphasise the need to keep 2M apart wherever possible.
Many people are already ignoring this distancing already and once it is ‘official’ others will take it to mean no social distancing needed.
Sherborne to Yeovil A30 is in desperate need of a cycle way —– lots of wide verge available which could include a safety barrier. This road has taken the lives of several cyclists. The cycle route running adjacent to the A30 (Sherborne via Bradford Abbas ) is a country lane which is just as dangerous due to the narrow road, high hedges, bends and many cars.
Please a safe cycle route between CROSSWAYS and DORCHESTER – joining the existing cycle ways and bypassing or improving the section past quarries between the level crossing and rail bridge. Large numbers of proposed new houses will shortly increase this need substantially.
Urgently needed a pedestrian path across bridge at the bottom of Foots Hill , Cann on the A 350. The footpath from French Mill Lane,crosses at this point to link up with footpath leading to Melbury Beacon. This road is used by very large HGVs and we are talking of a distance of approximately 100 yards from one footpath to the other. There is a very narrow grass verge with several smashed reflection bollards pinpointing how extremely dangerous it is for pedestrians.
Please let’s not forget horse riders. Though a minority they are legitimate highway users and comprise a vulnerable group including the elderly, disabled and many children. They also work through the British Horse Society to open and preserve routes that are used by walkers and cyclists.
In most town centres there are areas that would benefit from wider footways created at the expense of carriageway width and on-street parking. In Weymouth particular examples are Westham Road, Park Street, Great George Street and School Street. Whilst it is important to make provision for easy taxi access and well sited bus stops close to shops and leisure facilities and good provision is needed within car parks for blue badge parking the inner town centre and harbourside areas are too congested to accommodate the amount on on-street parking that exists at present. There needs to be a shift towards greater use of public transport and cycling whilst car users should be encouraged to use the existing car parks and walk into town. The Commercial Road and Swannery car parks have considerable capacity, as does that at the former Ferry Terminal though the latter has the disadvantage of dragging too many vehicles into the end of the peninsula.
Please consider the need for a connection to the cycle lanes on the Wareham / Bakers arms roundabout road (351). Cycle lanes at each end of road but really dangerous section in the middle. ( Sandford). It would complete a really great connection and make this section better for cyclist, pedestrians and motorist. At present a really dangerous road to cycle.
Totally agree. Please do not waste money unnecessarily as hopefully one day things will become normal again….
Please could you not remove the 2 M distancing where you have it (eg in Shaftesbury High Street) and continue to emphasise that 2M is best. People are already socially distancing less and in my opinion, keeping as far apart as possible is about the most important thing you can do (unless facemasks become compulsory). It would be a waste of money to change signs things to 1M. In any case the official recommendation is 1M+ and 2 M where possible I believe.
Leigh Road between Wimborne and Ferndown is already narrow and congested. I think it would be safer for everyone to put the cycleway along by the river as far as possible. This also is the time for cycles to be registered, licensed and insured like motor cars.
Please can we ask dog walkers to keep dogs on a short lead on shared routes? There are too many loose dogs on shared paths. Loose dogs regularly hamper social distancing, especially when owners have to fetch back straying dogs who follow other dogs / people / head for your picnic!
On busy paths walkers, cyclists and runners could be discouraged from using headphones, as then they are often oblivious to other users and their surroundings. Its not safe for them, or for other users they are sharing the routes with.
There are too many cyclists who do not wear helmets. Accidents at a slow speed still can result in a lifechanging injury. Public health could encourage helmet wearing?
In the Wareham area we need cycleways that connect up: the section of A351 from Sandford Primary School to Holton Heath crossroads needs to be joined to the existing cycleway – if the road is re-aligned the cycleway could be accommodated on the wider pavement. Also fund the already proposed cycle/footpath over the A351 at Wareham Roundabout (flyover the railway and Sandford Lane) to connect Northmoor/Carey with Wareham Town. This gives an alternative level step-free way into Wareham when the Level Crossing is out of action. (this connects with the Sika Trail Route and the new cycleway around the Wareham Bypass.
Lyme Regis Broad St should be pedestrianised, only allowing resident and disabled access and deliveries at certain times. It is impossible to socially distance.
To promote further safe walking and cycling, the speed limit should also be reduced to 20mph throughout the town. Flashing speed limit panels and signage to ask drivers to take care would also be welcome.
It would be wonderful also to develop the old railway line to Axminster as a cycle route.
It is clear from all the ideas forwarded to the Council that it needs to look beyond this short term need to spend a government emergency sum on active travel.
Local Transport plans are supposed to identify longer term needs for mobility, and must now be revised to incorporate this shift in priorities to walking and cycling. Is there a dedicated team to work up these ideas in the Council?
Dorset’s Trailways are mentioned as important ‘ spines’ and have proved very popular. They were developed by the Countryside Service, but have often lacked resources for good maintainance. This should be rectified.
Dorset’s Rights of way network is a huge untapped asset.The Local Access Forum has always looked to their investment for Better and more useable routes between villages and towns, with signing and surface improvements. The upgraded path up the River Lim between Lyme Regis and Uplyme is a great example of this, and has seen so much more use since it’s completion. A revised Rights of Way Improvement Plan should search out such opportunities, as it has tried to do before, but resources must be made available with certainty to make schemes happen.
If this work is now to be a National Priority, then Dorset must be allocated the funds to deliver on all these great ideas for active travel, carbon reduction and better health. Please think big.
That sounds a very sensible option as there is no way it can be safe having cycle lanes across so many people’s drives and very high commercial traffic levels.