A lively meeting with guest speaker Joe Doak from Dorchester Civic Society on the topic of sustainable transport. Other topics discussed were:
Local Transport Plan and Funding: The Local Transport Plan (LTP4) consultation will start in the autumn. Dorset Council is working to improve its status from Level 1 to Level 2 to access more Active Travel funding. A cycling incident on Weymouth Seafront was discussed, but no changes will be made to the seasonal cycling ban.
Road Schemes and Infrastructure: The Maumbury roadworks will continue for two more months, delaying traffic. Improvements to the Williams Avenue junctions will follow, enhancing safety for cyclists and pedestrians. Four parking spaces on Damers Road will remain, easing local concerns.
Trailway Developments: Efforts are underway to create a trailway between Maiden Newton and Toller Pocorum through a public path creation order. This would reopen a disused railway line for walking and cycling. A feasibility study is also examining improvements to the Whetley Bridge–Loders trailway section.
South Street: South Street reopens to pedestrians on 11th April thanks to pressure from local advocates. The Town Council is exploring ways to enhance the street surface. This marks progress toward more walkable town spaces.
Dorchester South Station Works: Recent upgrades have improved the station’s interior, but the exterior lacks safe pedestrian crossings. A problematic step and absence of dropped curbs pose safety risks. Discussions are ongoing about who is responsible—Highways or Network Rail.
Beryl Bikes: The Beryl Bike scheme has seen strong uptake, with 20,000 journeys recorded. New bike bays have been added in Poundbury and at the train station. This indicates growing community interest in shared cycling.
Buses: The X51 will continue under a summer timetable starting 23rd May, which is positive news. However, some evening services are being cut, prompting close monitoring. There’s also a proposal for late-night buses from Weymouth in summer.
Trains: Dorchester South Station improvements are nearly done, but an outdated sign remains, causing confusion. Future enhancements are planned for local stations, and volunteer support is needed for station maintenance. A proposed platform change for the Weymouth train may wait until national rail management transitions.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO READ THE FULL MINUTES FROM THE MEETING HERE IS A LINK