Dorset Council continues to ask people thinking of visiting Dorset’s seaside or beauty spots over the bank holiday weekend and half term to be considerate and think about the potential impact of any visit on Dorset’s communities.
Dorset currently has one of the lowest COVID-19 infection rates in the country thanks to residents who have followed the Government’s ‘stay at home’ advice over the past few weeks. The council is asking people from other areas of the country not to visit at present as it risks spreading the virus to local communities. Dorset has a large older population and many people have underlying health conditions which make them more vulnerable to the virus.
The latest government guidelines prohibit people from staying overnight at any place that isn’t their main home. The council is reminding any potential visitors that they must not stay overnight – whether in cars, tents, motorhomes, camper vans, second homes or holiday accommodation right now.
The government has also said, “it is also important that everyone continues to act responsibly, as the large majority have done to date. The infection rate will increase if people begin to break these rules and, for example, mix in groups”.
For anyone considering a visit to the coast, the RNLI has said that lifeguards will not be on beaches and is advising people not to swim or take part in water sports.
Last weekend saw traffic levels across Dorset that were 40% lower than a usual May weekend. Generally, the numbers of people at beaches and beauty spots were manageable and most managed to maintain social distancing. However, there were issues in a number of areas including Lulworth, Portland and West Bexington with irresponsible behaviour by visitors such as illegal parking, littering and lack of social distancing. And sadly since the weekend, and with the good weather, the number of visitors to the county appears to be increasing significantly.
In response to the changing situation over the past week, Dorset Council is reopening some car parks and public toilets in key locations in time for the bank holiday weekend to help cope with demand. The usual charges will apply at these car parks.
The council also plans to re-open car parks at its country parks next week (Tuesday 26 May), as part of the phased re-opening of Dorset.
The council reserves the right to close or suspend any facilities if it is deemed that public health is in danger through visitors not following social distancing measures.
Parking payment methods
Dorset Council continues to encourage the use of contactless payment for parking via phone-call, text message or smartphone app as the safest way to avoid spread of the virus. However, in response to public requests, the council is reinstating cash and card payment methods for drivers who do not use a mobile phone.
Due to the required use of keypads at payment machines, visitors who choose to pay by cash or card do so at their own risk. People are strongly encouraged to wash their hands both before and after using the machines to lower the chance of infection.
Dorset Council’s Leader, Cllr Spencer Flower, said:
“Throughout the pandemic all councils have had to react to a rapidly changing situation, and our priority has always been to protect the health and wellbeing of Dorset residents above all else.
“We continue to ask visitors to Think Twice about coming to our county at this time.
“However, after closely monitoring what is happening at various locations around Dorset over the past week, we have taken the sensible, but very difficult, decision to adapt our approach in order to deal with emerging problems.
“There are no perfect solutions at this time of crisis. Striking the balance between looking after the safety and health of all our residents while discouraging the mass gathering of people at our many beautiful tourist destinations will remain difficult for the foreseeable future.
“I would like to thank town and parish councils for working with us on these arrangements. And I would particularly like to thank all Dorset residents for their patience and understanding. Dorset Council is working non-stop to rise to the challenge of COVID-19 and I remain incredibly proud of our efforts during these unprecedented times.”
How will all this be enforced? I feel sorry for those that live on or near the coast who may now not feel safe to go out and enjoy their local area. There is a high population of people living along the coast without the extra pressure of visitors from further afield, especially those outside the county. I live in Gillingham and will not be visiting the coast just yet because I do not feel happy with putting other communities at risk.
Clare – We will have our traffic wardens patrolling to keep highways clear of irresponsible parking. The police are now only able to enforce mass gatherings and overnight stays. This is why we are asking people to think about staying away now and come back when it is safe and also we will be fully open and ready for visitors.
Thank you Clare for your consideration towards others. If only everyone thought the same way we might not be in the middle of a pandemic at all.
caller from Weymouth, please close the roads as already beach packed and people swimming in the sea today. Yesterday Radio Solent said traffic nose-to-tail from Dorchester to Weymouth. And all these visitors will no doubt leave behind their litter. Dorset residents have behaved well and should be protected from those that may bring misery to the area.
Hi Jenni – unfortunately when the Government released some restrictions and said “You can travel to outdoor open space irrespective of distance.” it meant that the police were no longer able to enforce the travel restrictions.
As someone who lives near the sea I won’t be going out any time soon especially with the bank holiday looming. Despite what the media would have you think, social distancing here in Dorset is impossible with all the visitors.
It is such a great shame that Dorset residents can enjoy their beaches, but instead have to leave them to those travelling from far and wide.
I wish people would stay close to their own areas and stop spreading their mess, littler, bad and selfish behaviour to Dorset, where residents have behaved with such care.
It is grossly unfair.
I live on West Bay Road. Over the last few days the number of motorbikers coming into West Bay has increased tremendously. In theory I have no problem with that, however they are not practicing social distancing, and are congregating around the seating area where they park their bikes, and making it difficult for other visitors to walk. At times there have been approaching 100 bikes. As there are a lot of elderly residents, and a residential home in West Bay I feel this behaviour needs to be discouraged. We were told we could travel for exercise, but I don’t think exercise is the reason they are there, they just want a get-together. Could they not find a non-residential area to meet up? Can the police not move them on?
Why are you opening toilet facilities and car parks if you are discouraging visitors to beaches? I am thinking of West Bay.
i thought current guidance is that people can’t use second homes, but today the one next door has been occupied. Is this ok?
Report them to the police, it is not allowed.
It seems that nearly every 2nd home in my area is now occupied,and i no of at least 1 air bb that is taking visitors this weekend. This is on top of the many 2nd home owners who broke the lockdown to issolate here, wit family and friends visitin.It seems sume people have the attitude that the restrictions are not for them, only for those who live in high density accomodation.
It makes no sense that you are asking people to think twice about visiting Dorset over the bank holiday weekend whilst at the same time opening up the car parks. Opening up holiday hotspots to visitors is too dangerous and will simply encourage thousands of people to flock into Dorset. Locals will be as keen as anyone to get out and enjoy the bank holiday weekend but I suspect social distancing will become impossible. You should be protecting Dorset residents. Our low infection rate is testament to how well we have been adhering to government advice.
I agree with you but unfortunately the public are acting badly and this has forced DCC’s hand in having to open the car parks and toilets. We live in Purbeck and the terrible parking and people urinating all over the place is becoming unbearable.
The parking on Ferry Road, Shell Bay was so dangerous, if a heath fire had broken out the fire crews would not have been able to get close enough to deal with it. And this was with the NT car parks open mid week.
So agree limit distance of travel is the easiest way to stop this
You are encouraging people to come to our beaches and beauty spots by reopening car parks and toilet facilities. If you REALLY put Dorset’s residents health as your priority, you wouldn’t open any of the beach car parks or facilities (you know our beaches are the best in the country so obviously it will attract people from different counties). There is no way you will be able to enforce it if they are open and you know this so make it difficult for people to use the spaces and they won’t bother. The second wave will definitely peak in the South West this summer and everyone knows its coming. The past 2 months locked away getting the infection rate down to the lowest in the UK will have been for nothing. Thanks Dorset Council.
The recent relaxation of “going out for exercise” makes no sense whatsoever.
It is not a matter of politics BUT it is a matter of commonsense. WHY did PM Johnson NOT put a “distance limit” on the permitted travel?
In essence, a thoughtless/inconsiderate motorist is now “permitted by PM Johnson” to drive from Cornwall to Northumberland in pursuit of his/her daily exercise.
What is the science in support of this policy? Moreover, it means that the Police have a now, almost impossible job to enforce this new regulation.
Think again, PM Johnson, you are failing to think in a rational matter.
Hi,
On our early morning walk this week above the Riviera Hotel at Bowleaze, we came upon a large amount of litter and remains of a portable barbecue on the cliffs, the packaging they brought with them had their address so could be traced.
After what had happened at Wareham forest this week I was disgusted and have reported it to Dorset Council, Police and Fire service. Why are people so inconsiderate on our beautiful coast.
Why open car parks and toilets, this will only encourage visitors to the area. If people are parking irresponsibly give them a hefty fine! I live less than 2 miles from Weymouth beach but have not been there since before lockdown and will continue to stay away. Dorset residents have on the whole adhered to the regulations. We have a low infection rate and want to keep it that way.
Wouldn’t it be a good idea to say where the toilets and other facilities are being opened. I can envisage some people deciding to go to some well known spots expecting all comforts available only to find they are shut and then having to use an alternative.
Well….refusing to accept contactless credit card or cash payments for car parking charges was clearly in breach of The Equalities Act by indirectly discriminating against all the elderly drivers who do not own or use a mobile ‘phone. You have spent ages trying to justify that policy…but have finally seen the light! If you do not already consult your Legal Officers when considering changes like that, may I suggest you might do just that, as a matter if routine in future?
John – you will have seen we have revised this guidance.
You have stated ” The council is reminding any potential visitors that they must not stay overnight – whether in cars, tents, motorhomes, camper vans, second homes or holiday accommodation right now” how is this being enforced as well as social distancing on the beaches and beauty spots?
We are working with landowners and the police on moving overnighters on.
hi dorset council
i do think the council should take the lead in the visitor problem i implore you to please shut all car parks put up road blocks on the county boundary and stop the influx of possible virus carriers
i can wait to visit my local beauty spots i do think the health of dorsets population should be protected at all costs
yours t mason
Some Dorset residents need to calm down. Infection rates are broadly similar across all of the south of England. In fact they are significantly lower in London, but I don’t hear Londoners asking Dorset residents to not visit London. Bear in mind that second home owners represent only 3% of households in Dorset and virtually all of them have been paying council tax for the last 2 months for your benefit while getting no benefit themselves! So please get a sense of proportion.
I think the government should have had a distance limit on driving for exercise say 5-10 miles max. I moved to Dorset 2 years ago and can cycle to the beach but I cannot at the moment as there are too many people driving to the coast from as far away as London (where i used to live). Unless the government amend the rules this will only get worse and deprive local people of access to beaches etc. So unfair
Why can we not deliver clear, concise and direct instructions to the public. Do not travel. “Do not visit coastal resorts. Car parks and toilets will be closed. Penalties will be issued to those who break the rules”. It’s simple, no grey areas, no vague instructions.
If people cannot follow rules, they should be punished. The reason we have had a low contamination in Dorset is because we have had very few visitors until now. Generally people here have obeyed the lockdown ruling.
I now believe we may have a second bout of the virus because of a lack of guidance and strength from this government.
Dorset Council have done exactly the right thing by opening car parks and public toilets. The trippers will come anyway and cannot be stopped now.
Opening these facilities will reduce inconsiderate parking, reduce parking in residential areas (which is obviously safer for residents) and improve hygiene. As a Dorset resident I feel happier that the day trippers remain in the “honeypot” car parks and are thus easy to avoid. My thanks to the Council for keeping things safer and cleaner.
The Police now have their hands tied when it comes to enforcing guidelines for motorists, but what about enforcing the law with cyclists using clearly marked pedestrian foot paths. ? Try walking from the Oasis along the Preston Road to the junction with Sandbourne Road I rest my case
Hi David – we will be enforcing the public protection orders.
As it seems ok for Dominic Cummings to go across the country to stay with relatives, would it be ok for my son his fiancee & my 4 month old Granddaughter to come & stay with me? They live in a flat with no garden & she is suffering with bad depression.
Jill – the Government’s guidance here https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do
I live in North Dorset and have a holiday home in Swanage, which is not a business: it is used by my husband and myself and occasionally by family members. My problem is that I have not been able to visit my house since March to make sure that the house is all right, to attend to the garden, and to remove accumulated junk mail. Is it now permissible to visit second homes if we do not stay overnight?
Ruth – This is the Government’s guidance https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do
My wife and I are hoping to visit a building development near Dorchester next week in order to view a number of new properties that are on the market. We are currently living with relatives in East Sussex having completed on the sale of our house in Greater London at the end of February. This could be done in one day but I suffer from a medical condition that renders long journeys difficult. Would we be allowed to stay in a B&B under the “moving house” clause incorporated in the COVID legislation currently in place? Would Dorset Council be able to issue us with a permit to cover this?