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Dorset Council is starting work on a new Local Plan after changes to government planning rules meant that last year’s draft plan had to be replaced. The government has significantly increased the number of homes Dorset is expected to provide, from 1,757 to 3,246 a year. That means more than 48,000 homes over the next […]

Almost 700 people have had their say — and the message is overwhelming: bring back hourly buses, run services later and improve connections with trains. A survey coordinated by the Western Area Transport Action Group (WATAG) and supported by Dorchester Transport Action Group (DTAG) has revealed huge public support for better bus services between Bridport […]

DTAG is supporting WATAG’s campaign for a better X51 service — one example of how local Transport Action Groups work together, listen to their communities and make the case for better public transport.

The X51 bus route, connecting Dorchester — including the County Hospital — with Bridport, Lyme Regis and Axminster, is widely regarded as West Dorset’s primary core bus route. Yet the service currently operates only approximately every two hours, with no X51 services from Dorchester after 7pm. For people who rely on public transport, this makes […]

At the Dorchester Transport Action Group (DTAG) Annual General Meeting on 12 May 2026, members reflected on another active year of campaigning, public engagement and partnership working. The meeting also marked the final annual report from Chair Stewart Palmer, who announced he would not seek re-election because of long-term health issues. DTAG Secretary Giles Watts […]

Last week, Edward Morello, MP for West Dorset gave a rousing speech at a Westminster Hall debate on local transport and planning developments. He said that if we are going to build new homes they must come with appropriate transport infrastructure especially more buses. He reiterated a plea to build “the right Houses in the […]

Trinity St, Dorchester bus shelter.

Dorset has secured £12m bus funding from the government over the next three years, but this falls far short of funding given to other counties. An article in the Echo on 8 December explained that Over the next three years, £6.8m in revenue funding will help Dorset Council and local operators make targeted upgrades, such as restoring […]

Our friends in the West Dorset Western Area Transport Action Group (WATAG), have launched their new website. So if you live in the Bridport area or around that end of the old West Dorset area, take a look and join their email list. Click here to go to their new website.

Dorset Council and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council are drawing up a new Local Transport Plan (LTP).  It will cover the period 2026 – 2041. The draft plan was out for consultation in September and the closing deadline for responses was the end of October. The draft plan set out their long-term vision on […]