Day trip to Dorset? “Please think twice” says Dorset Council

The Leader of Dorset Council, councillor Spencer Flower has issued a strongly worded statement discouraging people from visiting the county and says that car parks and loos will remain closed for the time being.

In his message to day trippers considering coming to Dorset as a result of the government’s easing of lockdown restrictions, he says, “Thinking of visiting Dorset now? Please think twice.” Signs will be put along the main roads into the county advising visitors that facilities are closed.

Advertisement 

Increase the infection rate in Dorset

The concern of the council, along with many residents, is that the government’s new travel guidance may lead to the spread of coronavirus and increase the infection rate in Dorset.

The county currently has one of the lowest infection rates in the country and a large older population that are more vulnerable to the virus.

Cllr Spencer Flower said:

“People who may be thinking of visiting Dorset from elsewhere in the country need to ask themselves, is this safe? Is this fair? We really look forward to welcoming visitors back to our beautiful county in future, but it’s too early to take the risk right now.”

Durlston car park closed sign

The car park at Durlston Country Park will stay shut

Car parks will stay closed

Dorset Council says car parks at visitor destinations including beaches and country parks across Dorset will stay closed for the time being. This means that Durlston Country Park’s car park will remain shut.

Council-run car parks that have remained open throughout the coronavirus pandemic for local residents, will stay open but parking charges will now be reintroduced.

Dorset Council says its public toilets will also remain closed due to the difficulty for social distancing to be maintained at these facilities.

Councillor Spencer Flower continued:

“Our overriding priority is the safety and wellbeing of Dorset residents. We want to discourage people from outside the county and from areas with a higher rate of infection than Dorset from visiting our beaches and beauty spots, and inadvertently spreading the virus to local people.”

“We are working closely with our partners including Dorset Police to monitor and review the situation. We will adapt our approach when the situation changes.”

Swanage Town Council

Swanage Town Council says that there is currently no change to the number of facilities and services that are open or closed. Everything that has been closed at the start of the pandemic crisis, will remain closed. The council-owned beach huts, the tennis courts in Beach Gardens and the boat park by the RNLI station will all remain closed.

Share this story

Contact us

Do you have anything to add to this story?

We like to keep everything up-to-date, so if you know more, please help us by getting in touch.

Advertisement 

Top stories

Swanage Railway confirms trial train service to Wareham and cost of fare Following long delays and false starts,, a trial rail service is to run between Swanage and the mainline at Wareham from April to September 2023. 3 weeks ago BBC Antiques Roadshow to come to Swanage 2 weeks ago Second home owners ‘unhappy’ over Dorset Council’s tax plan 1 month ago Swanage woman charged with attempted robbery at toy shop 2 weeks ago Long weekend of steam at Swanage Railway for spring gala 2 weeks ago

Most recent

Family of missing Wareham man informed after body found in river Dorset Police say that a body has been discovered in the river in Wareham and while not formally identified yet, the family of a man who’s been missing for several ... 8 hours ago First changing places toilet opens in Swanage 22 hours ago A day’s parking to cost £20.60 along Swanage seafront 2 days ago Swanage looks for hedgehog heroes to beat prickly problem 3 days ago Poole Harbour oil leak: Europe’s largest onshore oilfield ‘temporarily suspended’ 3 days ago