Share of half a million pounds up for grabs for Swanage travel infrastructure

To help with social distancing, Dorset Council has been given a government grant of just over half a million pounds to improve walking and cycling routes and now residents in Swanage and across the county are being asked for ideas on where to spend it.

The plan is to spend the money on projects like reducing congestion on pavements and encouraging people to cycle rather than take public transport. This is to promote public health, support physical distancing and help prevent a second wave of COVID-19.

Advertisement 

Widening footways and installing cycle lanes

Solutions could include:

  • Widening footways, especially on high streets, to ensure that those walking and queuing for essential goods can keep apart from each other
  • Installing measures to restrict through-traffic from some streets to ensure that physical distancing can occur, especially on access routes to local amenities
  • Installing temporary cycle lanes separated from traffic, particularly on routes where cycle use is high

Dorset Council is asking residents to submit their suggestions on an online map. This then pinpoints the place they would like to see improving and allows others to see the ideas too.

“Real opportunity for transformative change”

Councillor Ray Bryan, Portfolio holder for highways, travel and environment, said:

“We’re committed to helping residents move safely around towns and villages during social distancing, and we recognise this will get more difficult as further restrictions are lifted.

“This is a real opportunity for transformative change in how we make short journeys and we want to get it right – enabling our residents to continue their new-found walking and cycling habits for work and leisure.

“We are already engaging with parish and town councils to understand where the immediate crowding issues are that could negate social distancing efforts on high streets, but we need help from all parts of our communities to get a clear picture of concerns and priorities across the wider Dorset Council area.”

To have your say, go to the ‘Safe streets for Dorset’ online map by the end of July 2020.

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

Child injured in dog attack at Swanage pub Police officers and the air ambulance were all called to help after a child was injured in an incident involving a dog in a pub garden in Swanage. 1 month ago Historic Studland home goes on the market for £5 million 4 weeks ago Back with a splash – Swanage Fish Festival returns for 2023 5 days ago Paddle steamer returns to Swanage after appeal keeps her afloat 3 weeks ago Surrey couple ditch corporate life for Dorset safari venture 6 days ago

Most recent

Swanage’s swimmers take second dip into theatre performance After the sell out show of SW!M in 2022 - a combination of storytelling on the stage followed by dancing and swimming in Swanage Bay - the all-female group is ... 4 hours ago Food for thought as Swanage opens second mobile larder 1 day ago New snorkel school explores life under the sea in Swanage 2 days ago Newly discovered 1930s posters to jazz up Swanage’s Mowlem 3 days ago Call to help improve health services in Swanage during time of change 4 days ago