Dorset Council’s Leader, Cllr Spencer Flower, has a clear message for any potential visitors or day trippers thinking of coming to Dorset as a result of the government easing of lockdown restrictions: “Thinking of visiting Dorset now? Please think twice.”
Dorset Council has decided that, at this early stage, car parks at visitor destinations including beaches and country parks across Dorset will stay closed for the time being. The only exception is the Swannery car park in Weymouth which will re-open later this week for road safety reasons. Public toilets will also remain closed due to the difficulty for social distancing to be maintained at these facilities.
Some council-run car parks in town and village centres have remained open through the COVID outbreak for local residents. These will continue to remain open but parking charges will now be reintroduced.
This follows the latest guidelines from government, announced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Sunday 10 May, outlining the gradual easing of lockdown restrictions.
The 50 page document published by the government yesterday stated that although people are still encouraged to stay at home as much as possible, people can now “travel to outdoor open space irrespective of distance” and “day trips to outdoor open space, in a private vehicle, are permitted” as long as people practise social distancing.
Dorset councillors and many local residents are concerned about the potential impact this new guidance may have on spreading the virus and increasing the infection rate.
Cllr Spencer Flower said, “Our overriding priority is the safety and well-being 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.”
Residents in Dorset have co-operated well with the government’s lockdown over recent weeks. Even on sunny bank holidays, the vast majority of people have stuck to the rules and stayed at home. As a result, beaches and beauty spots have remained very quiet and the infection rate across Dorset is low compared to the rest of the country.
The southwest of England has had 7044 confirmed COVID-19 cases to date. This means the southwest’s rate of infection – at 126 per 100,000 residents – is the lowest regional rate across the country.
The Dorset Council area has a large older population and many local residents have health conditions which mean they are vulnerable to risk of serious illness or death from COVID-19.
Cllr Spencer Flower continued, “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 welcome visitors back to our beautiful county in future, but it’s too early to take the risk right now.”
Hi Dorset council. Fair enough you don’t want tourists to visit the beaches at the moment which is understandable. I rent a kiosk in Lyme Regis from you. Why are you still charging us full rent ? When we can’t earn any money and all local businesses apart from supermarkets are struggling. I’m sure if Palmers brewery can help there tenets so can you.
Local boat owners are restricted( except comercial) if mooring in local marinas and are still being charged the full rate no movement is allowed so you won’t be able to remove it if you want to cut costs and you are not allowed to sit and work on your boat even if following the social distancing rules.
Hello Councillor Flower, thank you and your Councillor colleagues for thinking of us Dorset residents by deterring visitors into Dorset. However may I ask why residents cannot get access to our local beaches to finally enjoy water sports as a family unit like Kayaking?
Hi Vickie, beaches themselves are open and local residents can walk or cycle down to beaches and enjoy exercise or relaxation there as long as they observe social distancing. Dorset Councillors made the decision earlier this week not to re-open council-run car parks at beaches for now because they want to deter potential visitors from outside Dorset who may spread the virus to local residents. We are constantly monitoring the situation and reviewing it on a weekly basis.
Closing car parks means that more cars use the remaining ones, which obviously is likely to risk infection with many cars and people closer together.
Careful what your wish for? And old saying but being hostile to visitors will hopefully bite back when you all want their money again. As a resident I over head two people who weren’t social distancing say isn’t it nice to have all this to ourselves shame those bloody visitors will be back
Thank you for discouraging visitors from outside Dorset, our County. My husband and I have adhered to personal distancing even to the extent of being unable to be with our Grandchildren who live opposite us and have had a birthday during the lockdown. It does seem very unwise and inconsiderate for the government to suddenly allow visitors to come here from far and wide with the significant risk of bringing infection.
A gradual increase in tourism would have been safer, surely, and perhaps allowing Dorset families to get together again as a first step, particularly where, like us before the lockdown, we helped to care for our young grandchildren while their parents were working.
Dorset council should obey the rules and guide lines of parliament. Not make up their own. We want to comedown to Bridport , my home town, in our Motorhome. We have been self isolating at 74 and 77 so we are free of disease
So will Dorset council please be sensible and help welcome visitors
Gordon – We are abiding by the Government’s guidelines. We are requesting that people behave sensibly and maintain social distancing, if a place is busy to go home, and bear in mind that shops, restaurants and cafes are currently not open or just offering a takeaway service. But currently there is a ban on overnight stays nationally.
I’m due to go to Weymouth next week with family and was thinking twice whether to or not. Any advice please?
I would like a answer to this as I own a kiosk in west bay just took it over on the 20th March this year it’s been established for 30-40 but I’m getting no help want so ever with the grant as we just took it over I paid my rent till 30 June and you want me to pay next quarter I ant even opened yet how do you expect me to pay
Why are Dorset Council and BCP not singing from the same page here. Your approach shows you completely understand the situation and are showing real common sense and looking after your residents?
I agree are car parks I BCP should stay shut , this weekend will be busy I expect in lovely weather and covid 19 will start to go back up.
Wrong message… it should be “thinking of visiting Dorset?”
Don’t bother.. we’re closed.
We’re not closed. See the government guidelines.
Don’t agree with them? Well, who did you vote for??
Public toilets should be reopened
A vast majority of public Conveniences are not over run with clients wishing to use the facility and therefore your social distancing rules are just an excuse not to reopen the facility.
The guidelines say you can exercise in public places and therefore should have access to a public convenience.
If you do not reopen them then you should just rename them as toilets. The very word Public Convenience infers that it is just that but as you see fit to close them they are no longer a convenience.
Also a comment on reopening the HRC in Bridport you clearly state only for use for hazardous or harmful waste
This does not include garden waste or an other re-cycling material
So why bother opening – hence their being no queues at that facility
Totally agree with you on toilets. Have any of the councillors tried cycling to and from a beach but not being able to go to the loo at any point on their journey. This will become a public health issue as more people exercise. Please open (some) of the toilets! My bladder will thank you!
I live in Dorset and was looking forward to just going a little further afield as I am disabled and a car trip to another part of Dorset within the new guidelines would have been a welcome relief. You have succeeded in cancelling all the new guidelines and ruined any chance of me travelling a little further afield within my own county. Keeping toilets closed! Really! I hope Mr Johnson jumps on all of you from a great height.
I suggest you contact a solicitor and sue Dorset Council for closing the disabled public toilets.
So you can sue for closing disabled public toilets, but not other toilets for the general public. Isn’t that discrimination?
No it’s not. I don’t think you have quite grasped the equality principle that specifies that service providers have a legal responsibility to support people with a range of medically recognised conditions to be able to participate in activities which the rest of us take for granted. If a parking facility was provided near a venue (e.g a cinema) and marked ‘Disabled’ would that be discimination on everyone else who couldn’t park there?
I really need to be there for my daughter who needs emotional support at the moment,I live in yorkshire and would be only staying with her
All carpark should come under Dorset council
Totally agree with you on toilets. Have any of the councillors tried cycling to and from a beach but not being able to go to the loo at any point on their journey. This will become a public health issue as more people exercise. Please open (some) of the toilets! My bladder will thank you!
Agreed Wendy. I’m disabled too and have a spinal cord injury meaning I HAVE to have access to toilets on a frequent basis. This is discrimination against disabled people and those with certain medical conditions! Disgusting!
Agreed I have a disabled son, we have a radar key so surely disabled people can still access those? They can’t lock those up too?
I live in Dorset but would much prefer to have a pee at home rather than risk infection. …. don’t be selfish . . . this is the same for everyone – I am registered disabled too but don’t “dine out” on the fact!!!
I have family in Weymouth we want to meet them on the beech I’m from Wiltshire is there any parking open and toilets open my family said that there is a cafe open on the sea front so why no car parking and toilet
Anyone forgetting there’s a pandemic going on? Whose meant to clean the toilet after each person has used it ? Covid stays on plastic and metal for a period of time and most people don’t know they have it till the symptoms present them self’s and at which point they will have had it for a week prior…… stop moaning plenty of place close to home you can drive to . Fed up with selfish moaning people that want to travel around criticising saftey measures put in place for everyone. Everyone is in the same boat.
Well said. It is not in anyone’s interests to have people travelling unnecessarily at present. Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales are correct and the Government for England is mistaken. Yes it would be nice to be able to visit nice places but surely saving lives must come first. Too many people have died already.
Toilets in main carpark ( old train station) in West Bay are definitely open. Used them yesterday.
I understand keeping the hordes of potential visitors away but what about the Dorset residents who are currently unable to use even local parks because you have blocked the car park entrances? I’m currently exercising in a village eight miles away from a proper park with no pavements, no streetlights and a number of speeding delivery vans making walking the dog a hazardous experience. A little more thought to the residents who pay your allowances via council taxes would be really appreciated.
Hi Peter, we appreciate that these decisions impact local residents as well as people thinking of visiting from elsewhere across England.
At this early stage, car parks at visitor destinations including beaches and country parks across Dorset will stay closed for the time being to reduce the potential impact the new guidance may have on spreading the virus and increasing the infection rate.
With driving restrictions now eased further, hopefully you will be able to travel to a safer location for your exercise.
Well said Peter. Dorset councillors show no understanding at all of either the medical or the Gov’t advice. They are acting like little Hitlers who think they know better than anyone else. The car parks should never have been closed in the first place. Plod threw their weight about supposedly to stop people driving even though we could drive a short distance to a place of exercise and fresh air. So I for one had to drive further to park and walk to where I needed to walk. Where better to get exercise and sun and fresh air than the parks we have paid to support and where it is simple to observe social distancing? Councillors need to take a reality pill instead of ill-considered virtue signalling and pretending they are the saviours of Dorset’s population.
Please can you let me know even though we live in Christchurch Dorset, BCP car parks will be open ?
Where is the line / border that then goes into Dorset that the car parks will remain shut ?♀️
Hi Gillian, details about BCP car parks can be found here: https://www.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/News/News-Articles/car-parks-and-toilets-at-seafront-and-leisure-locations-to-reopen-for-locals.aspx
Dorset Council car parks near beaches or tourist spots remain closed, but on-street parking and other car parks are open.
Well done Dorset Council the Prime Ministers, announcement on Sunday to open up Britain is very risky & extremely difficult to police. A clearer instruction was necessary e.g. travel within a 30 mile radius of your home, makes much more sense & would prevent people from all over the country visiting Dorset.
I am worried about the consequences to the infection rate, the R rating will increase & the South West rate could significantly increase.
Can someone explain what “The road safety reasons” are to justify opening Weymouth’s biggest car park at The Swanerry?
Thanks
Andy
Hi Andy, although we are strongly discouraging visitors from outside the county to come to Dorset’s beaches or beauty spots, we know there is still a risk of some people driving down. Our traffic safety officers have advised that the traffic situation on roads in Weymouth could be dangerous if we did not re-open the Swannery car park, so we have acted on their advice. We are closely monitoring the situation to ensure public safety.
dorset voted tory
What about the NT car parks at Studland and the private car park at Lulworth Cove, if they are open then that is where the hordes will go, it will be like the normal summer chaos we have been experiencing down here for the last few years.
Hi Anne, we understand that the National Trust car parks at Studland and Corfe Castle will be remaining closed. As is the car park at Lulworth. There are some privately owned car parks that are open, which we have very little control over.
If your overriding priority is the safety and well being of Dorset residents you should be closing off the narrow enclosed alleyways which are less than 2m wide, where social distancing is simply not possible when anyone comes the other way. Many of these are only used as a shortcut and serve no other useful purpose.
Are you for real ?? The public have been told you can travel anywhere in England, because the West Country has been the least hit with the virus, you think you can keep Devon/Dorset in a bubble ? Well think you are in for a surprise
So Jim Staniford, you are exactly the sort of the person we are worried about. Please stay away from Dorset. I don’t want to come to wherever you live and please do not come to our county. You are being incredibly selfish and your attitude of ‘we are in for a surprise’ I find extremely concerning and is exactly the reason we don’t want you here.
It’s comments like this that make me even more determined to make the trip. The government have amended the rules, we’re free to travel. Dorset, unlike Scotland, is not a devolved country and the Council’s actions are of dubious legality. Closing remote car parks (st Bridging Camp) is an act of spite. Hordes of people, if they arrive, will not infect each other whilst outside.
I believe it’s disgraceful and petty-minded not to open car parks. Smacks of an “I’m all right, Jack” mentality. Fine for people who don’t need to travel to get their exercise. But now that people are allowed to travel more, to take more, and much-needed exercise, why not facilitate that by allowing them somewhere to park (and open the public loos too)? Why make life more difficult and miserable? Of course, enforce the social distancing, but the two are not mutually exclusive. People should be able, even encouraged, to park their car and take exercise, while maintaining social distancing rules.
Hi M Hadley, only car parks at visitor destinations including beaches and country parks are closed for the time being, this is to reduce the potential impact the new guidance may have on spreading the virus and increasing the infection rate. Other car parks and on-street parking is still available to help local residents travel further afield for exercise and well-being.
What about poor local residents who have been cooped up inside for so long with this lovely weather. Now they are allowed finally to go out and get some fresh air in their own area, and no where to park. You should realise it is not just people from afar that might visit, but also local people who might just want to go for a nice break on the beach for a change. And remember the local people are still paying council tax to live there, so why not let them enjoy their own surroundings!
Hi Jane, unfortunately our most vulnerable residents remain ‘shielded’ and must stay within their own homes. Hopefully, all of our other residents have been able to get exercise and fresh air, within the Government’s guidelines, as travel for exercise has been allowed for some time now.
At this early stage, car parks at visitor destinations including beaches and country parks across Dorset will stay closed for the time being to reduce the potential impact the new guidance may have on spreading the virus and increasing the infection rate.
We are working closely with our partners including Dorset Police to monitor and review the situation. We will adapt our approach as the situation changes.
Hi Jane,
I’m also a “local” person, who happens, along with thousands of others, to live near one of the beaches you are keen to visit. The whole point of the restrictions is to stop us all infecting each other. If hordes of people descend on a few locations — beauty spots/beaches — the risk is obvious. I would urge anyone who wants exercise to take it as near as reasonably possibly to where they live. I am not unsympathetic to people who want some fresh air but you don’t need to travel far to find it. This is a pandemic not a holiday. I applaud the decision to keep beach side and beauty spot car parks closed.
I cannot believe the selfish and narrow minded attitude by those complaining about the extremely sensible decision the council have made to protect the residents of Dorset. Obviously none of you have been affected by seeing the devastation that this virus has caused close up, or been personally affected by the loss of a loved one or a colleague!!!! I hope you are not also going out to clap for carers because as far as I’m concerned this is just an empty gesture with the selfish comments I am reading here. We have been extremely blessed in Dorset to have benefited so well by the lockdown but because of this we will not have the same immunity in the community & we are extremely vulnerable to a second peak (or likely first for us). We very fortunately live in a beautiful area that anyone in the county can reach somewhere pleasant to exercise from their home by foot. If that’s not the beach or other natural beauty spot then that is a small sacrifice for just a while longer. We’ve all been in this lockdown & some poor folk have also been working horrendous hours throughout & seen some awful things, they’re enormously fatigued & would love nothing more than a walk on the beach to, but we’re all responsible for protecting ourselves & those around us & that is exactly what the council are doing & so many key workers have been sacrificing their time, sanity & some their lives to do. No we’re not trying to be in a bubble, but we are being sensible because of our stage in this pandemic. Once you open Pandora’s box you won’t be able to close it again. If you are unlucky enough to get this virus and you react badly to this virus, at any age, you would not be saying such selfish things. Well done Dorset council, do not give in to peer pressure or the more self centred in our society.
This is great news, as one of the ‘shielded’ who has virtually not been outside in recent weeks, l do agree with the councils decision to keep car parks and toilets closed
Please please keep Dorset and our elderly safe. We are happy not to visit other boroughs and we would like others to stay in theirs. We are coping with this so let’s not make our area a ‘ cluster’ problem.
THANKS! The sudden statement that people can travel as far and as long as they want is Ill thought out and symptomatic of this government’s muddled thinking. Tens of thousands have already died unnecessarily. It is vital to get public toilets upgraded first for social distancing and cleaning. It is vital car parks be rearranged. Councils should have been part of the decision making. You know what is best and safe for your area. According to the HSE they will prosecute if organisations, which includes councils, are found to be negligent and cause death. Hang in there and stick to your guns.
Hi Judith, thanks for your support. The safety and well-being of our residents is our top priority.
there is no law? the pm said you can travel anywhere,so to be fair i can travel
Please explain why the car park at Boundary Lane was still closed yesterday. You need a permit to park here which only local people have anyway so under your thinking no reason not to open it. I think you should reopen all the car parks in line with government advice regarding exercise, but there is absolutely no logical reason to keep the boundary lane one shut.
Otherwise please refund permit holders as from Wednesday until you deign to open the car park.
Yes agreed, but what about the people that live here. The relaxation of some items, golf courses opening, freshwater fishing lakes opening. But sea anglers cannot go onto the beach, more isolated than most other sports.
Absolute rubbish.
This will have people parking in the wrong areas. They are coming now and would not have read any of this. It will cause trouble. And you will have been the match to the blue touch paper.
Think of the people that are paying your wages.
Well said Stephen, those of us who live in Dorset will travel to the coast and have to park in residential and other areas. Small minded thinking from DC, and reactive rather than pro active, and accepting what the relaxation of lockdown had become this week.
Car parks can be open, and DC have not closed many other of their car parks which have remained open during the lockdown. Simple notice to advise using alternative bays is all that is required, if being pedantic, but social distancing will be upheld by the majority of people.
The Leader should be leading, telling Officers what to do. Looks like the next local election here will see changes, as this odes not protect residents and helps to keep people away just when Dorset should be embracing change .
I suppose if it was just people from Dorset using the beaches and parks that might be ok. But it will be people coming from cities and large towns out of area who could be importing the illness here, where there is so little of it at present. I believe the Council’s policy could protect residents but the Council must also make protestations to the Government about this and ask them to change the rules. Be that not to travel more than say 10-20 miles from home or only to travel within your own county for leisure purposes.
Most people will not read the instruction about Thinking Twice before coming to Dorset so I think the Council should erect signs at junctions and major roads ,tourist routes etc with this message – in fact being far more direct and telling them to go home.
I would love to go to the beach myself but frankly now think its very unlikely that I will unless the policy is changed.
and planes are landing as we speak
I live in sussex and our coastal car parks are full to bursting with visitors from surrey, they take advantage of the free parking and beaches. So i agree with Dorsets policy but it needs to be adopted everywhere where people must stay within their boundaries or as previously stated they will bring the virus the the less affected areas.
There are older generations that live in this world and thought in the war to save your family’s and you treat them like this,,, shame on you. They have slight hope of seeing the sea , they have mental health issues but doesn’t seem you care……
Hi John, it is the older generation we are thinking of, and other residents who fall into the high risk category and are at risk of serious illness or death from COVID-19.
At this early stage, car parks at visitor destinations including beaches and country parks across Dorset remain closed to reduce the potential impact the new guidance may have on spreading the virus and increasing the infection rate.
it is ONLY because of the restrictions that i feel somewhat safe to venture outdoors. having spent the last SIX YEARS locked up inside my home because of me/cfs (auto-immune and inflammatory, thus im at risk) this lockdown has been a real slap in my face. i literally had a handful of months where i had a slim limited taste of normality, did 6hrs vol work/week. this lockdown has me depressed n semi-suicidal, because it’s thrown me ‘back there’ only theres no improvement in my health to keep me forward thinking n im now too well for it to not bother me.
Only while we were flattening the curve have i felt safe enough to leave my house. Now? i dont feel so safe anymore because of the relaxation n this has compounded my mental health issues which are caused by extreme lonliness because the last vestiges of my illness flare up with social contact FFS -i had to cancel 90% of my friendships due to me/cfs XD too much stimulation for my brain XD so ur argument re mental health is bollox. those who have experienced anxiety from all o this are now feeling WORSE anxiety. Esp with everyone’s selfishness of NOT wearing masks because they are only thinking about protecting themselves n thus if not 100% protection, not worth wearing attitude, ignoring that they maybe spreading covid asymptomatically, esp as thats the majority transmission.
I think the council have taken the ONLY sane approach.
You have attempted to use emotional blackmail with ur white knighting of ‘veterans of ww2 who faught for the uk’ n that they need their freedom. pathetic n incorrect. The vast majority were CHILDREN for starters n secondly, they have better impulse control than the vast majority of us n understand a short term sacrifice for long term gains. my nan would rather not see me until the other side of christmas than spend a few weeks with me now with the considerable risk of losing her life n all the future YEARS she has left to live
Well done Dorset council.
Please keep the swanery car park closed
Please keep the swanery car park closed. We don’t need visitors at the moment
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole are opening their car parks and toilets – a bit of common sense – shame on you Dorset Council
Shame on you Wendy (and everyone else moaning) for clearly only caring about yourself. The government guidance left little time for clear actions to be implemented and rushing into reopening everything is not wise. Taking a sensible approach and keeping potentially busy areas closed makes sense and will enable better procedures to be put in place. If these car parks and tourist attractions are inundated with visitors how will social distancing be implemented, how will toilets be kept hygienic, how will staff be expected to staff safe?? All of these things need to be carefully considered before we jump into reopening everything. Stop thinking about yourself and think about the community AS A WHOLE
its already open in most places, i get some chips i think
Baiter carpark opened this morning at 7:30 cars and jetskis have already started taking their place on the slipway this is totally wrong I think BCP Council Should review their decision as the Dorset council are against this type of activity at the
I understand and support your concern for the wellbeing of Dorset residents but am concerned at the decision to not open carparks and toilets. As the Government is pursing an easement policy, I feel that the Coucil should move towards handling the situation as best it can as is being done in the BCP area. There are many relatively ‘local people ‘who would themselves like to make use of such facilities. The Government is encouraging everyone to exercise along the beaches and in other such areas . In many cases even those who live relatively close need to make use of both carparks and loos. Closure is a recipe for disaster. The local economy is in a truly terrible state , much of it is struggling to survive. It must be given all possible help. Surely it is the responsibility of the Council to try to move forwards at this difficult time.
I am not clear as to who is going to be cleaning the toilets after every use?
Best thing is not to travel so far that you need to use a toilet.
The obvious answer is to have signs at the approach to the county stating that all toilets will remain closed until it is safe to use and clean them and anybody relieving themselves elsewhere will be prosecuted. It should be the law that nobody can currently travel more than say 10 miles from their home to exercise and this should stay the case until the magic R number is zero.
toilets flush?
The Baiter park car parks in Poole have been opened, why??
There are already jet skiers there, have been since 8am, putting the RNLI under pointless pressure if needed.
Hi Jackie – this is in BCP council’s area not Dorset Council’s.
Should all come under the same council
Well done Dorset Council! Thank you for putting the safety of the community first. Please lobby the govt to urgently change their message of unlimited travel distance to a STAY LOCAL message… irresponsible is not a strong enough word to describe the govts decision to allow unlimited travel; emergency services are stretched to the limit. The govt should have consulted with local councils before telling people they can travel as far as they like.
Stay SAFE, STAY LOCAL!
Hi Josephine, thank you for your support. Our low infection rate here in Dorset, compared to the rest of the country, is a testament to all our residents who have co-operated well with the government’s lockdown over recent weeks.
There are two ways out of this pandemic, herd immunity or vaccination. So at the moment because there is no vaccination, travel restrictions have to be lifted to allow for more of us to contract Covid 19 and increase herd immunity. So if Dorset is protected it will lag behind, and this will affect commercial and pandemic recovery. This is a difficult problem and should be thought through by all of us, so that we all make the best decisions for ourselves and others. So please step up become BIG thinkers and don’t just leave this to your Local Council or Government. So for starters public toilets could be UVC light sanitised with the lights being only switched on after the cubical is used, with a time delay that does not allow the cubical to be reused until the sanitising period has been completed, usually one minute will do.
How arrogant can a council be. The government say to open up parks etc but you decide you will not do so. Amazing that you also decide to re-introduce car parking charges at the same time. For Dorset residents you should be allowing people to exercise more by opening up the country parks, you can socially distance in the countryside rather than trying to do so on pavements and in towns whilst exercising. I hope that our government takes you to task about this.
Hi Joanne,
At this early stage, country parks across Dorset remain closed to reduce the potential impact the new guidance may have on spreading the virus and increasing the infection rate.
The infection rate across Dorset is low compared to the rest of the country – a testament to residents’ co-operation with the government’s lockdown over recent weeks – and our priority is the safety and wellbeing of Dorset residents, many of whom are vulnerable to risk of serious illness or death from COVID-19.
Reintroducing parking charges will allow us to control the time people park and monitor usage. NHS staff and many key workers will still be able to park for free.
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.
Well done Dorset Council. Boris take note. You will cause mayhem if you proceed with this drive anywhere policy. Stop it now.
But Dorset Council lets have a sensible policy for the tips. Can we recycle or not!
I have to admit Dorset is probably the worst county I have ever visited for the council trying to rip off its visitors! Cllr Spencer Flowers message says to me if your not spending money then don’t bother coming! if all the shops pubs and restaurants were open I am sure the car parks would be too! Hopefully when things upon up again people will boycott the area! The government have told people they can travel so Dorset council should comply with their instructions!
It must be frustrating but to be honest we have two holidays booked in cormwall both cancelled,dissapointing but we can do it again.shame you feel the need to boycott ,yes our car parks are expensive ,but it doesnt mean i would boycott where i live.we just dont want anyone here at the moment,i certainly would not want all pubs and so forth open.Its sad for us all ,but i would’nt want anyone to die for the virus due to a minority of people thinking its all over ,it is not .thanks
I would ask you to respect the wishes of the council which represents the wishes of the people of Dorset. If you don’t come in the future so be it. But please, do not come now. There is very little infection in Dorset and to come her from any area of higher infection is irresponsible and unfair.
I agree, people from outside the area should not be coming.
Can the council please put up roadside notices asking people to go home in order to avoid spreading the disease and explaining the the car parks, beaches etc are all closed.
if your in car driving you will not infect anyone,fact
I appreciate the concern for Dorset’s residents and a message should be issued for people to be sensible in how far they travel. However I do not think Dorset Council have the right to go against government advice and keep car parks and toilets shut. I live in Dorset, have a week off soon and was looking forward to being able to go a little further afield whilst socially distancing and acting in a responsible manner. Bournemouth Poole and Christchurch are opening up, Dorset Council should do too.
Can the council please comment on the position of ‘second homers’ as one family in our village who have been down since the lock down are now ‘swopping’ the 2nd home with other relatives from London, and one member is going back to her London home for a few days and then coming back, this surely is totally against the rules!
Hi JC, this shouldn’t be happening – the Government guidance is:
Leaving your home – the place you live – to stay at another home for a holiday or other purpose is not allowed. This includes visiting second homes.
If you are concerned that something contravenes guidance, or you believe it could be a substantial risk to people’s health within your community, you can contact the police online: https://www.dorset.police.uk/do-it-online/
Hope this helps, K
Hi Kirstie,
Please can you elaborate on Dorset Council’s position concerning the loophole in the coronavirus support fund in which some second homeowners are claiming £10,000 in ‘relief’. Pandemic aside this is morally indefensible when the very act of second home ownership in rural areas inflates property prices and prevents many hardworking local people from obtaining a home in the county they were born and raised in, see BBC news link below:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cumbria-52420392
I’d suggest this relief fund would be better spent on supporting bereaved families, counselling for NHS and care workers and those who will suffer the long-term health consequences from coronavirus.
A second homeowner should be paying council tax. Someone who lets out as a holiday cottage would register for business rates. They may have small business rates relief so not actually pay. So the council should not give the £10,000 to anyone paying council tax. That should be simple enough to sort…although councils are not known for being smart or using common sense, are they.
Outrageous. So in the urban areas where there are higher rates they will bring it to the countryside?!
I live in Devon now and our big concern down here is the grockles will be heading down in their numbers especially over May half term.
They remind me of the job me and my brother had when we were younger – Bar Stewards.
So, I live in Dorset. I pay taxes in Dorset. I do not live within walking distance of a beach. Where do I take my daughter who has been cooped up at home for 2 months?
I guess it’s not just people from outside of Dorset not welcome. People say we’ll emerge from this pandemic a more caring society, judging by these comments, I doubt it.
All this says to me is that if you don’t live near a beach (even if you do live in Dorset) it’s two fingers up to you.
George Orwell’s “1984” comes to mind.
We’re living in a country where it is against the law to visit your family or send our children to school.
There is a balance to be had. We can manage a pandemic without these draconian methods.
Snooping and reporting on neighbours is very Stasi-like. This them and us mentality is truly shocking to read.
There appears to be a complete lack of consistency with releasing lockdown, not only in terms of car parking scenarios. Parish and Town Councils and other key groups in the area such as the National Trust have not been consulted about this. The National Trust Car Parks are open. The governments plan is far to ambiguous. Stay Alert…what does that actually mean? People are told to use common sense. In times of emergency, leaving people to use their common sense does instill confidence. Some of the advertising slogans are still saying ‘stay at home’….others now ‘stay alert’…. Suggest that people need clear guidance. Is the government heeding the concerns of virologists and the NHS in terms of controlling the virus ? How was it expected that people go back to work 12 hours after being told they could do so? Clarity and consistency is required.
Please can DC give Dorset Parish and Town Councils clear guidance? So that those in local communities have the confidence to go out at all.
Thank you DC for showing leadership in these challenging times, to help to keep the Coronavirus deaths low.
Typo… it should say ‘does’t instill confidence. Collette
Well done Dorset Council. You are doing absolutely the right thing to keep residents safe.
I totally agree with the couciler,well said.This is not a punishment from Dorset to everyone we like to see family enjoy our beaches,its not the right time at the moment.How simple is it ?Most local resideints here on Portland would love to be on beaches with freinds ,familys enjoying Grandchildren,but we cant.yes its all a sacrifice to all,but its having control of ourselves as to not ignore ,the need to look out for each other ,im sure we will all come out of this alot sooner.we just cant come and go as we please,still go in second homes ,campers vans ,sociol gatherings .please all stay safe and help all.dont visit us see you soon .
Unless the Country is informed that Dorset is out of bounds, they will come expecting to be able to access the beaches, forests and open spaces… but when they find they can’t park safely, they will take a chance and park on the verges or come into our towns, park up and walk around, where the vast majority of us live… The residents of Dorset young and old, have a need and the right to access the beaches, forests, and open spaces for their own physical and mental wellbeing. And while I was relieved the forest was open for local residents, I wonder whether towns will now become a killing ground rather than spreading the risk between countryside and town … they are coming, like it or not, and the virus is going to be with us for another year if not more. If you want to contain the spread of the virus, the reintroduction of parking charges isn’t a good move, as you have to access loose change and slot it into the machine, something even Sainsbury’s and local shops have been trying to avoid, as well as touch the machine to gain a ticket = cross-contamination (not everybody has a mobile phone to do it hands-free)… if one resident catches the virus and dies because of this decision, the Council will have blood on their hands… clearly putting ‘money’ before health and safety and the welfare of Dorset residents! Sounds like a hypocritical Council decision… Please think twice!
Hi Michael,
We’re working with partners including Dorset Police, Public Health Dorset and Visit Dorset to push our message further afield for anyone looking to come and visit. And anyone researching their trip will find the appropriate information for what is open, or not.
At this early stage, car parks at visitor destinations including beaches and country parks across Dorset will stay closed for the time being to reduce the potential impact the new guidance may have on spreading the virus and increasing the infection rate.
An influx of visitors would make it impossible to maintain crucial social distancing and potentially increase Dorset’s infection rate, and risks pushing our local NHS services beyond capacity.
On-street parking and other car parks are open, and reintroducing parking charges will allow us to control the time people park and monitor usage. This can be paid for through the JustPark mobile application or over the telephone – you do not need to use the communal machine, you do not need to pay with cash.
Our priority is the safety and well-being of Dorset residents, many of whom are vulnerable to risk of serious illness or death from COVID-19.
Thank you Kirstie’
I know you can pay by various methods being an investor in ‘Just Park’ (ha ha) and the more the better, but many people do pay by cash and will unknowingly put themselves and others at risk… I presumed the Council originally put them out of use because of the threat, as a responsible response to possible cross-contamination, and I applauded the Council’s decision. However, I am not against the Council reintroducing parking charges but I am concerned about it being a point of transmission and the user being aware, as you rightly state we do have a lot of vulnerable people in Dorset where cash is still king, and technology isn’t even in the running… even a sticker making them aware of possible contamination would be favorable rather than nothing. I have seen a cash point with ‘now wash your hands’ sticker where the cash is ejected, so it must be worth a consideration.
Thanks for your comments Michael, I’ll pass them on to our parking manager. It wouldn’t hurt to remind people.
A simple trick for car park machines is to use use a car key, rather than a finger, for the keypad!
It works for shop keypads as well.
I have to say, very disappointed that I will not be able to go kayaking and enjoy my home town/county. I work frontline in NHS and this was going to be a chance to recharge away from things. I don’t need a lecture about how bad this is, I see it every day and Im well versed in social distancing and how to protect myself/others. All the old folk who are shielding will not be on the sea next to me and I strongly suspect not many other will be! That said, the message to not let those come to Dorset as ‘We are closed’ is wise but your own residents would like to enjoy the place we were brought up! It seems I have no choice but to remain away – like everyone else. What will make you change your mind? Id be interested to understand what R rate you are using to make your decisions – other than the national one?
Hi Fuzzy, the COVID infection rate for the Dorset Council area is one of the very lowest in the country. Public Health England provide these figures, and colleagues from Public Health Dorset are closely involved in our local response to the COVID pandemic.
Like many others I am hoping to be able to drive a few miles and walk , specifcally taking the SW coast path from Durlston. I find today that the carpark at Durlston, Swanage will remain closed. Why is it ok for me to park in a town car park and walk up the hill, or in a residential street, and walk, but not to park ( and pay) in a public car park keeping me out of the way of other people.
Also like many I have struggled through my daily exercising with the lack of public toilets being open. The government have lifted restrictions, people will come, they will find that carparks are closed, toilets are closed the the very obvious consequences of both will be the fault of the council.
Please explain the exact science behind one car park being ok to use but another being too risky to open.
Hi CJ Smith, Dorset Councillors made the decision earlier this week not to re-open council-run car parks at beaches and beauty spots for now because they want to deter potential visitors from outside Dorset who may spread the virus to local residents. Beaches and beauty spots are areas where there is a high risk of large numbers of people visiting which could lead to people congregating and not observing social distancing, and, as a result, spreading the virus.
We are constantly monitoring the situation and reviewing it on a weekly basis.
Thank you , I really doubt that hundreds of tourists are going to flock through Swanage to get to Durlston Country park, even in the height of the August summer holidays I can always find a parking space up there, and once you are out on the trails the space is definitely wide enough to maintain distance across the fields and cliff tops, as to a large number of visitors, the car parks at Durlston Country Park are small so there is no high risk of large numbers of diseased car loads arriving to park at Durlston Country park – there will not be hordes of people up there, only us locals who are desperate to get out walk in the places we love that help with our mental health as the government has directed is allowed.
By all means close a well known sea front beach car park as a blunt tool to deter tourists but do not deprive Dorset tax payers with the same blunt approach without looking at the size of the carparks and the probability of the risks for the specific areas.
I appreciate your time.
Last time I looked, Councillor Flower was not Prime Minister. We have a democratically elected government and it is not for county councils (or, for that matter, trades unions, eg NUT, RMT) to seek to supplant that by making up their own rules. That way lies chaos.
Hear, hear! Well said!
I applaud the council’s attempts to discourage people from outside the county from visiting Dorset. With the lowest infection and death rate in the country and a larger older population, the last thing we want is people travelling here from areas of high infection.
I am very disappointed that the whole country has been opened up in the way it has and anything that can be done to discourage visitors should be.
I applaud the decision to close car parks and public toilets and would also encourage signs along the road asking people to go home in order not to spread the infection.
So Jim Staniford, you are exactly the sort of the person we are worried about. Please stay away from Dorset. I don’t want to come to wherever you live and please do not come to our County. You are being incredibly selfish and your attitude of ‘we are in for a surprise’ I find extremely concerning and is exactly the reason we don’t want you here.
I live in Beach Road, Burton Bradstock and the NT car park at the end of the road has remained closed throughout the lockdown, which has been much appreciated.
Since the relaxation of restrictions an extra barrier has been put across the access road to the car park and a new sign placed at the entrance to the road saying that the car park is still closed. (Thank you NT!)
However, since Wednesday we have been inundated with cars trying to make their way down to the beach. Today (Friday) has been particularly manic with a constant stream of cars throughout the day. Hundreds, in fact. If they had all been able to park down there and visit the beach social distancing would have been extremely difficult.
A lot of drivers stop to read the sign then continue down to the beach to assess the situation for themselves then either turn round and leave or park on the double yellow lines or the pavement! They have also been parking in the lay-by and bus stop parking area on Common Lane and also in Cliff Road to access the beach.
Our village, which has a lot of elderly residents (many of whom have underlying health issues) has respected the lockdown rules and worked hard to keep ourselves and others safe and well. Many residents are now worried that this huge influx of visitors from other areas is going to compromise our safety.
A lot of residents have been taking their daily exercise by walking to the beach but now many are too anxious to go once the car park reopens.
I have emailed the National Trust to ask them to reconsider the planned opening of the car park on May 21st as I feel it is too early, especially now with today’s news that the R number is rising.
I totally disagree with the idea that people can drive anywhere they like for exercise and although I am extremely grateful for the fact that Dorset council have asked people to think twice about coming to the County, I am hoping that stronger steps can be taken in order to keep people from other counties away so as not to increase the current low statistics of deaths and virus cases that we have been experiencing in the South West. It is a very worrying situation for local residents.
I live in Dorset and specifically asked my MP Simon Hoare whether I could go sailing (a small single handed dinghy) in Poole Harbour, launching from the Baiter Park car park slipway. The response was “yes” provided I exercised social distancing. He refered me to government guidance : https://www.gov.uk/government/news/coronavirus-guidance-on-access-to-green-spaces?fbclid=IwAR14m70W-axMOSBDSzvN6nvOcl1xbPAGEoZ5i2bxAnVHfjK8b8-LbGC2afk.
It is most upsetting that Councillor Flower has chosen to frustrate my specific form of exercise by keeping the car parks closed.
I won’t comment on whether the guidance to drive as far as people like is correct or not – ultimately none of us really have the information to know either way. However the UK is a run by a national government, and there is no devolved power to restrict movement etc to counties or councils. And the whole country belongs to all UK residents, not only the county in which they live. So the message to stay away from ‘our county’ is not really appropriate. What people clearly can’t do though is stay overnight, second home or otherwise, so that should (hopefully) limit visitors to those able to make the journey in a day trip. Which will at least reduce potential visitor numbers. But the whole point is the government has decided to partially ease the lockdown, so day-trips to Dorset or any other county are allowed – and even intended by the government. Local councillors, with very little information to base decisions on, are really not supposed to be contradicting government health advice. Perhaps there is a team of scientists advising Dorset council, but I suspect not. Hopefully everyone will stay sensible and keep their distances from each other, and not stay anywhere that looks too crowded for that to be possible.
I agree Dorset Council are doing the right thing in discouraging visitors to our lovely county.
I feel sorry for all the people who live in flats and small accommodation that are unable to enjoy what we have on our doorstep.
Why doesn’t the Council use signs on the roads to Dorset like they did during 2012 for the Olympics, there was a noticeable difference in the volume of visitors and traffic to the County especially Weymouth where I live.
Come on Dorset Council be more proactive in your message to the outside world.
Regards,
Concerned vulnerable resident.
You have no right to overrule Government policy on this
Why are the restrictions being reinstated to ban dog walking on the beach and cycling along the promenade in Weymouth? The government is encouraging cycling to work and more exercise. It seems petty to discourage this when more important climate issues are being ignored. You’ve had a whole year to be pro active in your Climate Emergency commitments. Opportunity lost!
Dorset council is reinstating car parking charges to encourage car use and make some revenue. So much for declaring a Climate Emergency a year ago today! Construct bike parks instead.
We reinstated parking charges to ensure those who need to drive can find a space – indefinite free parking would be a greater incentive for car use.
i live here and i aloud to go out and travel
It seems that the experts at County Hall must have far more expertise in pandemic epidemiology than those at the heart of government. Please can you tell me what criteria they will employ when making their decision to lift the car park / toilet closures?
Hint: The Southwest has one of the lowest number of cases but the highest R-zero. Is the plan to keep it that way?
Where are all the visitors on the beach going to the loo, in the sea, beach or the grass? The water was lovely to paddle in before, now I am not too sure, you will find people are not so hygienic when it comes to being on the beach or in the sea. Someone in another part of the country had their dog roll around in some human excrement and had to wash there dog in the sea, it was terrible, all left with compliments of the roaming tourist who could have passed the COVID19 in their faecal matter.
It is perfectly possible to book holiday accommodation this weekend in Dorset, for example the 300+ properties on AirB&B… with Covid9-guidance suggesting that only ‘essential travel ‘ takes place.
I expect that explains how visitors are able to easily come and stay without having to worry about car parks and toilet facilities.
The Government have been very clear: “Leaving your home – the place you live – to stay at another home is not allowed.”
You are completely wrong fionaking!
– Dominic Cummings has demonstrated your error to perfection.
– Boris Johnson has confirmed Dom Cum has done nothing wrong and supported the decision he made.
No Alexander, fionaking is completely correct by simply referring to the government’s own official guidance. Section 1.15 at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do states clearly “You are not permitted to stay overnight away from the place where you are living for a holiday or similar purpose. This includes staying overnight in a second home.”
Please those holding positions that are able to act and make decisions in Dorset do so speedily. We thank you for all that you’re doing and all front line staff, however recent new allegedly mentioned Covid-19
‘R’ number is rising here.
The Dorset residents have respected our front line key workers resulting in the lowest numbers of cases in the UK.
Where can they go in their own county for rest and recuperation? Most have avoided local haunts over the past days, due to the huge mass of out of county visitors. Cars parked on double yellow lines, rubbish dumped along with some chemical cans, empty booze bottles abandoned and individuals urinating in public places.
All we ask is for you to have a ‘ duty of care’ to those that live in this county and give our exhausted front line key workers the rest bite and respect they deserve.
Please act now…
Thank you
what do i do??
For the last 8 years we have been renting a house in Weymouth as we stay for a week fishing,as we return each year we have to book in advance to get the same house.Last year we booked,leaving a deposit,2 weeks ago the rental firm informed me that they were taking booking from 15/6/20.This is the start date of our booking Now i find that you are telling us not to travel to Dorset.
Can i get a full refund from the letting company or you??
Norman – the Government’s guideline says “Leaving your home – the place you live – to stay at another home is not allowed.” https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do
The car park and beach at Durdle Door should be closed immediately. It is impossible to maintain social distancing on the access to the beach. Photos from today show what could be a football crowd going into Old Trafford and that along with the idiots diving from the arch. All that can be achieved by remaining open is a major spike in the virus and loss of freedom for the whole of the country.