Stewart Palmer, Chair of our Dorchester Transport Action Group, recently co-ordinated a meeting with Councillor Jon Andrews from Dorset Council. Jon is the new lead Councillor for Transport in the new Dorset Council.
Stewart organised the meeting so that the Chairs from all the local Dorset area TAGs could meet Jon. It took place on 20 August. The purpose was to explore with Jon how TAGs can be more engaged with Dorset Council on all matters relating to mobility, including public transport and active travel.
Cllr Andrews was briefed on the role of the local TAGs and how they all wish to contribute their local knowledge and experience to improve the travel experience for Dorset residents.
The meeting was very useful in laying the foundations for a more positive relationship going forward. The TAG chairs agreed to provide Jon with a priority list of easy to implement low-cost ideas that would make a visible difference quickly.
Following the meeting Dorchester TAG has sent Jon three initial ideas:
- Put a large advert in the next Dorset Council Newsletter reminding all households about the £2 max bus fare available up to at least the end of December 2024
- Provide a new bus stop for Town Service 2 in London Road, Dorchester, opposite the new retirement flats. A safe crossing needs to be sorted out, but that could be done later
- Put in place a process between South West Railway and First Wessex busses to ensure the 7pm X51 Dorchester to Bridport bus doesn’t leave Dorchester south train station before the 6.49pm train from Waterloo arrives. If the train is running a little late there is no time for passengers to cross over the railway line in time to get the bus to Bridport. Which then leaves people needing to go to Bridport stranded.
The TAG chairs will be meeting with Jon again in the coming months.