In an effort to appease as many as possible, a decision has been made to keep the traffic two way along Swanage’s seafront while also partially widening the pavements, however parking along Shore Road, even for Blue Badge holders, is not included in the plan.
Dorset Council as the highways authority was asked to look at improving the safety of Shore Road and widening the narrow pavements to make it more accessible for pedestrians and pram and wheelchair users, and following a public consultation it has come up with its preferred option.
The narrow pavement makes it mathematically impossible for wheelchair and pram users to pass each other at points along Shore Road
Four options for Shore Road
Initially Dorset Council highways team drew up four possible options:
- Full closure to all vehicles except service and emergency vehicles
- One way closure with south bound only traffic with parking removed
- Two way traffic with parking removed
- Do nothing and retain as it is
The two way traffic option appeared to be favoured in the public consultation survey but there were serious concerns that the results had been deliberately distorted.
Following the feedback, the highways team says its preferred option is to retain two way traffic on Shore Road while removing on-street parking to enable wider footways and what it calls ‘deliver public‑realm enhancements’.
Estimated costs are around £2.5 million, subject to refinement as the design progresses.
This scheme will be co-ordinated with the Swanage Town Council project to stabilise a subsiding section of Swanage’s seafront which includes Sandpit Field, the Weather Station Field and the Spa beach hut terrace, which runs parallel to Shore Road. It is often referred to as the Green Seafront Ground Stabilisation project.
The options for pleasing everyone are limited
Two way traffic option will compromise width of pavement
It is slightly disingenuous to say that footpaths will be widened with the two way traffic proposal, as only the green seafront side of Shore Road will be widened by up to around 2.5 meters, while the beach side of Shore Road will remain as it is.
If the one way system had been chosen, then footway widths would be increased on both sides of Shore Road by up to around 4 metres on the beach side and 2.5 metres adjacent to the green seafront.
It is also worth noting that under the proposed two way scheme, pedestrian crossing points will narrow the road to single carriageway at three places along Shore Road, creating a number of give way traffic calming measures. This has the potential to create congestion in the summer.
It’s proposed that Blue Badge parking will be provided along the eastern end of Victoria Avenue
Blue badge parking
Currently Blue Badge holders can park along Shore Road for free but that will change under the new plan, with disabled parking spaces proposed instead along the eastern end of Victoria Avenue near to the junction with Shore Road.
There is now also a new idea of disabled parking spaces along De Moulham Road, but still no plans to retain any along Shore Road.
Shore Road runs along parallel to the seafront
Possible modifications
Dorset Council says the following changes will be examined in the next phase of the plan
- Use space gained from removal of parking to widen seaward-side footway with only targeted widening on the landward-side
- Consider relocating the Battlegate signalised crossing to align with pedestrian flows created by the Green Seafront Ground Stabilisation project
- Use high quality materials to enhance the public realm and help reduce road speeds
- Reduce street clutter to maximise footway widths and improve accessibility
- Provide dedicated disabled parking spaces on De Moulham Road close to Green Seafront access points
- Include new pick-up and drop-off points at key locations along Shore Road
- Reduce speed limit on Shore Road to 20 mph
Options for nearby roads
It also says that changes to the road network in the wider vicinity will be investigated
- Improve visibility and address priority confusion at the Victoria Avenue and Northbrook Road junction
- Provide uncontrolled pedestrian crossing buildouts at key points on De Moulham Road to support safer crossings and help reduce vehicle speeds
- Improve wayfinding signage for pedestrians and drivers, particularly for Main Beach and North Beach car parks
- Coordinate Shore Road improvements and the Green Seafront Stabilisation project with future resurfacing of De Moulham Road
It is unclear if buses will want to navigate the traffic calming measures with the two way traffic option
“Strikes the right balance”
Dorset Council’s cabinet member for place services, Jon Andrews said:
“This proposal came after Swanage Town Council asked us to look at ways this focal part of the town can be improved.
“Residents, businesses and visitors have commented over the years how they would like to see this area improved so people walking along the seafront can enjoy the beautiful surroundings even more.
“We are grateful to everyone who shared their views, their feedback has been invaluable in shaping a design that will improve safety and reflect local priorities.
“Retaining two way traffic while creating a safer, more attractive environment for pedestrians strikes the right balance for this popular seafront location.
“We thank Dorset Coast Forum for carrying out the engagement and Swanage Town Council for their co-operation and enthusiasm throughout.
“We look forward to working with the town council and the community as the project moves into the next stage.”
What next?
The next step is for Swanage Town Council to decide whether to back the Dorset Council preferred scheme or not.
It will do this at the next full council meeting at 7 pm on Monday 23rd February 2026 at Swanage Town Hall.
A formal public consultation on the scheme will take place during autumn/winter 2026.
Further information
- More about the Shore Road Enhancement Scheme
- Examine the Shore Road options in detail
