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The West Dorset Magazine, April 8, 2022
Motoring
Parking charges up across county Parking charges have increased in Dorset Council car parks. Drivers wanting to park at Lyme Regis, West Bay and Weymouth between April and October will now be charged £1 for 30 minutes, £2 for an hour, £3 for two hours, £4 for three hours, £5 for four hours and £10 for 10 hours. The same charges apply to motorists parking in Charmouth and West Bexington. For motorists wanting to
park in Bridport, Sherborne, Weymouth and Dorchester, the charges are £1 for an hour, £1.50 for two, £2.20 for three and £6 for 10 hours. And two permits now will replace the 76 former district permits. A Short Stay Car Park Permit and a Flexi Stay Car Park Permit will replace the 76 former district or borough permits. Cllr Ray Bryan, Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel and Environment,
said: “It became apparent at an early stage of our car parks review that charges had not been reviewed for several years and changes needed to be made for a more consistent approach. “As a council in a challenging financial position, we are trying to achieve a delicate balance of maximising income from our car parks while ensuring residents and visitors will still choose to support our high streets, beaches and attractions.”
Petition opposes A30 closure More than 700 West Dorset residents have petitioned their MP to intervene over the continued closure of part of the A30. The A30 running through Sherborne between Kitt Hill and Cornhill was closed in March by statuory notice. It is not due to reopen until September 2023. A petition to reopen Cornhill, launched by West Dorset MP Chris Loder, has already received 700 signatures from local people. Mr Loder said: “Within hours of launching my online petition, hundreds of people have joined me in calling for Sherborne’s Dorset councillor Matt Hall to reopen Cornhill.” In a letter to Cllr Hall, Mr Loder said: “I am writing today to ask you to support the reopening of Cornhill and to make sure you
know the extent of public opinion. “More than 700 people want me to petition you to write to the Head of Highways to request that the reopening of Cornhill is re-evaluated urgently for local traffic, whilst the main A30 diversions remain in place. This is not acceptable to the thousands of people I represent, in and around Sherborne. It is causing untold distress to the businesses throughout the town and this situation now requires urgent action. “According to the BBC, Sherborne’s Sunday Market has been told that it cannot go ahead whilst these roads are shut. “The difficulties being experienced by residents on Horsecastles, Trendle Street, Long Street, St Swithun’s Road and North Road are also considerable. “This has been going on
for over six weeks now and when local residents and businesses are suffering because of it, we cannot let this continue any longer than is absolutely necessary.” Mr Loder’s letter to Cllr Hall also said: “It was clear that Cornhill was closed at the beginning to mitigate immediate risk of an unknown situation and I think many people appreciated that. But almost six weeks afterwards, Dorset Council will not re-evaluate the opening of Cornhill because you do not support its re-opening.” Mr Loder’s letter also states: “You (Cllr Hall) have asked how to complain to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards because I have challenged how unsupportive you are of Cornhill being opened. ”
Roundabout flood work Improvements have been completed at the notoriously flood-prone Monkey’s Jump roundabout, with work to landscape it and safety measures also installed. MP Chris Loder led an A35 taskforce calling for improvements after noting a high number of accidents along that route. The taskforce, launched a year ago, has urged National Highways to deal with the flooding and safety issues along the A35, including potholes, white lines, reflective studs and signage. Mr Loder said: “We have seen so many accidents along this road in recent years, and previously the A35 has been left behind in terms of strategic ambition. “I am very pleased to see the A35 is now getting the strategic investment and safety improvement it needs.” The Phase 2 works at Monkey’s Jump will future-proof earlier drainage works and improve the look of the county town’s gateway roundabout. Additional works to stop the flooding at Max Gate are also being carried out and enhanced maintenance is promised from Bridport to Axminster to optimise visibility of signage and markings. The Duchy of Cornwall is also expected to also complete road improvements soon afterwards.
