The Dorchester Transport Action Group (DTAG) is group of volunteers who want to see better transport in and around Dorchester, in Dorset, UK.
We are members of the public, councillors, professionals and amateurs.
We have no budget and no formal transport responsibilities. We are non-political and supported by Dorchester Town Council and Dorset Council.
To tackle some of the short-term transport issues that affect us – walking surfaces, cycling routes, parking, electric charging points, footpaths, bus routes and train timetables and more. All these affect how much we all use any specific travel mode.
We would like to improve the transport experience of everyone in the area while also having a special interest in creating opportunities for active transport, more public transport and low-carbon solutions. DTAG would like to see a better balance between the car and other forms of transport in Dorchester.
We look at longer term issues around reducing noise and pollution, improving safety, driving down carbon emissions to net zero, and through this making Dorchester a better and safer place to live and work for everyone.
We are part of a network of Transport Action Groups across most of Dorset that was set up 20 years ago.
Dorchester provides vital transport links across Dorset and with our outlying villages. We would like to see transport links strengthened and better joined up within Dorchester and across Dorset.
Any complaints about specific transport services should be addressed directly to the relevant operator using the contact details here.
DTAG cannot be involved in individual complaints.
The group's remit is the wider picture for better transport, so it would only get involved if a wider issue were identified.
Chairperson
Robin came to Dorchester in 1990 from Abingdon and before that, Washington - the one near Sunderland, which is why he has been so pleased with this season’s premiership football! His own refereeing days are now past, but he is sometimes to be seen umpiring in the local evening cricket league.
He taught Maths at Thomas Hardye School for many years and has been a Dorchester Town Councillor since 1995, being elected Mayor 3 times.
His big concern today is the impact of climate change, so welcomes everything which encourages active travel to reduce fossil fuel use. In a rural county like Dorset cars are likely to remain needed, but DTAG is an excellent organisation to encourage greater use of buses, trains and bikes, to reduce impact.
Secretary & Electric Vehicles lead
Treasurer and Rail lead
Our cycling lead committee member position is currently vacant.
If you are a bike user and interested in finding out more, let us know.
Media lead
Taxis lead
Walking & mobility scooters lead
Buses lead
Car clubs and community transport
North Dorchester Development lead
William was elected as an independent for Dorchester Town Council for the Poundbury Ward in May 2024.
William spent most of his career in Travel and Transport. He worked for British Rail, Sealink Ferries and was General Manager of Sealink Isle of Wight Ferries (now Wightlink) between 1987 and 1990. From 1994 to 2013 William was Director of the Passenger Shipping Association, which was the Trade body for Cruise and Ferry companies and from 2013 to 2220 he was Director of Discover Ferries.
William says “I am delighted to take over the bus portfolio on the DTAG committee. I see my task to try and help raise the awareness and use of bus travel in Dorchester and its surroundings”.
Carmel is an environmental consultant, geography teacher, Scout leader and volunteer who has been involved in a range of community and environmental initiatives. She is interested in how transport shapes health, independence and social connection.
As DTAG's committee member for community transport and car sharing, she believes these initiatives can work alongside better public transport and safer walking and cycling routes. With significant growth planned for the area, and increased pressures on our roads, Carmel believes it is important to develop a wider, more inclusive range of transport options.
Carmel joined DTAG because she values its balanced approach to local transport issues and the opportunity to represent community views while helping to shape discussions about Dorchester's future.
Laura is a Geography graduate and has been involved with East Dorset Friends of the Earth, including a successful campaign to allow cycling along the promenade between Christchurch and Poole.
She began her career teaching Geography and later English as a Foreign and Second Language. She then worked as a Travel Planner for Poole and Hampshire councils, helping employers to develop travel plans for sustainable commuting.
Laura helped to secure funding and facilities for sustainable transport for projects such as the University Link bus service, wrote travel planning guidance for developers, contributed to Department for Transport publications, and managed a sustainable transport team in Auckland, New Zealand.
After 14 years in the Netherlands, Laura relocated to Dorchester and enjoys the community farm, walking and the arts.
Public highways lead
David was a town planner for 29 years. His last job in local government was head of Development Control at a council in Hertfordshire. He then joined Railtrack/Network Rail as a planning consultant. He appeared as an expert witness in a public inquiry seeking powers under the Transport and Works Act to improve the West Coast Main Line, which ran for 15 months. He retired in 2011 and moved to Dorset.
David enjoys all forms of travel whether on foot, bike, bus, train, car or plane. His main motive in joining DTAG is to encourage innovation in the design and use of roads, which has been dominated by the needs and convenience of motorised transport for the past 70 years. He thinks it is time to redress this balance, particularly in urban areas, to positively encourage active travel.
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