Hi Geoffrey, we don’t charge customers extra for using the Just Park app. However, if you use the app and choose to have insurance, a receipt or a reminder there is a fee of 10p each. It is worth double checking the SMS receipt and reminder are switched off if you don’t want them, otherwise you will be charged. Claire
Well done! Without Council vigilance and persistence, many places which ought to be rural and/or beautiful would become eyesores that spoil our lovely country.
Three aspects are not touched upon in this report, and in fact don’t appear anywhere:
How much have the heat pumps, solar panels and low-energy lighting cost? Has this been included in the projected estimated saving of over £1million a year?
What is the carbon footprint of all the manufacturing, transportation, and installation of these upgrades – how will that affect the claim to remain on track to become carbon neutral by 2040?
With the average age (failure point) of solar panels at 25 years, by 2040 we will be close to being back at square one!
Hi Jeff, the measures mentioned in the article and report were funded through a £19m grant from government. You can find out more about the funding and what it paid for here.
All new products have some form of carbon footprint associated with their manufacture, transportation, installation etc. But unlike many other products, carbon saving technologies have the added benefit of saving more emissions throughout their life than were emitted in making, transporting, and installing them.
The council is currently working towards better understanding the carbon footprint of all items we purchase, so we can work with suppliers to help reduce supply chain emissions.
Regarding your point on the average lifespan of solar panels, we would have to disagree about being back where we started by 2040. Over the next 25 years, the solar panels installed as part of this project are expected to save around 5,000,000 kilowatts of electricity and over 1,000 tonnes of carbon emissions (based on current emissions from the grid) per year.
We hope we’ve covered your points, but if you have any questions on this project please get in touch with our climate team by emailing climate@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk.
Why has the Council agreed to demolishing the old Weymouth Council offices (North Quay) thus releasing huge amounts of EMBODIED carbon – and this for a car park ! Surely some use could be found for this large building ? Cheaper to convert than provide places for asylum seekers on a barge ! Speak to the Home Office !
Hello Jean, thank you for your feedback, South West Rail are responsible for the toilets at the station and through the partnership working we had hoped that they would have been opened, or at least trialled. Unfortunately, Dorset Council has no control over this decision. Kirstie
In general the new design is welcome but when there are no toilets in a station that really detracts from its facilities, to put it mildly. Dreadful, for all passengers and users.
I also think the access to the road is very difficult for all drivers and I have no idea why all taxis aren’t allowed across the mostly empty main forecourt.
South West Rail are responsible for the toilets at the station and through the partnership working we had hoped that they would have been opened, or at least trialled. Unfortunately, Dorset Council has no control over this decision. Kirstie
I posted a comment yesterday which for whatever reason has not been recognised to date.
The use of S I D devices is a worthwhile and doubtless cost effective visual aid for conciencious drivers. Question, does the device record breaches of the speed limit and, does the council use such information to install traffic calming measures?
Beryl Bikes are a great idea! I’m fortunate to have driven in France, and one really learns the importance of being much more respectful of cyclists than the average English driver tends to be there. One also gets to appreciate decently maintained roads. This morning, driving from my home in Crewkerne to Lyme, I steered gingerly around five pot-holes (on the Dorset part of the journey) all of which would have caused a cyclist to crash. I know through work travel the roads in Somerset, Cornwall, Devon and Wiltshire are no better. I also know that the Dorset Council’s staff would act today to improve things if central government gave them the budgets to do so. Perhaps a Conservative controlled authority might put pressure on central government to do something to improve budgets for roads and so much else? Yes, I live in Somerset, but lived in Dorchester for years and work in Dorset. One hears the joking phase ‘first world problems’ all the time to explain things that annoy us. But for all road users, appalling roads is a ‘third world problem’. Especially for cyclists and those who have to drive older cars as no other transport exists. I have seen worse roads in Europe – but only in Athens after the crash.
Hi Richard, this has yet to be drawn up, but we will take into account if any issues have happened with the removal of the restriction, how people are using the beach etc. Fiona
Hi Fiona, could you kindly clarify what would be perceived as an “issue”? We know from asking under the Freedom of Information Act that many emails of “complaint” were opinions from those who stated that eg “dogs should be on leads” “I think dogs shouldn’t be on the beach” ” I saw a dog wee-ing”. Is this the kind of “evidence” that would be taken into account in the Spring Review?
Or will it be concrete evidence, eg video evidence of something actually happening?
The rules for all dogs should be made simple and straightforward – all dogs should be kept on leads of no more than 2 metres in all public places. This will ensure the safety of the public and cut down fouling in these areas. Fenced dog exercise areas should be provided for dogs to be off lead .
I see no provision has been made in the PSPO for those with disabilities who do not have an assistance dog but have a pet dog, for safe accessible access to the front beach in Lyme Regis. Dorset Council have stated there is no other place suitable in Lyme Regis For the disabled to give off lead exercise for their dogs.
Hi Delphine – the restriction that currently applies to Lyme Regis front beach will be removed from the 1 january. This means that any dog owner will be able to use that beach, it’s not dependant upon whether they are assistance or pet dogs. I hope this clarifies this point for you. Fiona
Thank you our question is how will you monitor Lyme Regis beach, what evidence will you accept to prove locals and visitors using Lyme Regis Beach with their dogs will be included in any documentation during any reviews, would this need to be accompanied by photos will it just be Dog Warden and Lyme Regis Town Council officers who will monitor this or will the public need to contact Lyme Regis Town Council who have asked for this ammendment to the Dorset Wide Consultation Dog Related
Hi Debbie – our wardens have been given advice about managing these situations sensitively. It is a balancing act, but the main issue is preventing or clearing up after your dog. If a dog is under control, and close at hand then the owner will be able to do this. Fiona
So dogs can no longer fetch a ball? Surely anyone knows that is what they love doing???????
Children wee and poo on the beaches all the time. Adults bury nappies and other litter in the sand.
You will end up with anxious, stressed and under socialised, under exercised dogs. Not everyone who lives by a beach and relies on exercising their dogs there has transport to go elsewhere.
Not all dogs wearing muzzles are aggressive. Alot of them are used to stop them eating disguarded food left by people.
Have dog wardens who can hand out fines to owners that don’t pick up. Have a website where we can send body cam footage of aggressive dogs and owners.
You rely on dog owners to litter pick, so our dogs are safe in public areas, because the council doesn’t do it and yet you do everything you can to stop our dogs having any enjoyment.
I am done now, you can pick your own litter.
Could Dorset council please release the findings of their “consultation” and the reasons behind this “PSPO? As it stands, this restriction is in breach of the directives under the ECHR and is unlawful.
I would have preferred the name to stay the same ANOB, the new name does not reflect the beauty of our country. sorry but it sounds like a landscaping company. think of all the OS / mapping that is now obsolete. More landfill.
I am really unclear if this order relates to all beaches in Dorset all of the time (except Lyme regis). The news report states specific beaches. Could you clarify please or signpost me to where i can find this information.
I Agree with Carl; this is a waste of time, energy and resources when there is plenty of substantive work to be done without having to explain a name change nationally.
A few months ago it was reported that Gillingham and Wyke has had it’s public transport (bus) reinstated.
That is not true! The vast area of Wyke has been excluded.
Common Mead Lane has a bus stop near the top end (furthest from town centre) but has not had a bus service since the service stopped around the time that Covid emerged.
The area has many cul-de-sacs, containing hundreds of bungalows, most of them occupied by pensioners (the most needy of a bus service).
Please will the council look into this and help restore a very much needed bus service.
Hi – If this was reported in the press then you will need to talk to them about this. We are working with all the transport operators to improve public transport across the county. You can read more at https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/bus-service-improvement-plan Fiona.
There’s plenty of talk about this gimmicky rebranding, but no comment on what that means in terms of planning.
Is the new National landscape an actual designation with the same weight of the AONB designation within the planning?
It’s fair to be a tad suspicious of the need to rebrand a globally recognised designation, and one wonders whether the old qualifier to become an AONB area is the same as the new NL designation? Are we going to find that actually it’s a whole different set of requirements and suddenly what was AONB starts to fall outside of what is currently deemed national landscape?
Hi Sarah – this is anational change. As far as we understand it is a name change only and there is no change in designation and how we consider these areas for planning purposes. Fiona
Please can you tell me when you are planning to resurface St James Road, Netherbury? We live in Bowdowns, and a few months ago were told the road was going to be resurfaced and to park elsewhere (we have no off road parking). Nothing happened. We have massive potholes, a patchwork of badly laid and broken road surfaces, and really bad drainage. The road’s always covered in washed out gravel and mud, and is never cleaned. Potholes are occasionally filled, but last days only as the job’s never done properly, just a bucket of tarmac dumped in on top of water and loose gravel which comes straight out again. We’re extremely keen to know when the road will be repaired properly and drainage issues are going to be addressed. I would appreciate a reply. Thank you.
The whole of Gillingham is becoming a race track. Plus no regards for red lights. We have over two thousand children in various schools where some pavements are not wide enough for more than one person.
There used to be a speed camera on the approaches from East Stour and Shaftesbury. This was not a perfect deterrent but it was a start in making people aware. Speeding fines could provide one solution while boosting the local economy.
Yvonne
Why charge extra for paying by the app?
A rip off.
Hi Geoffrey, we don’t charge customers extra for using the Just Park app. However, if you use the app and choose to have insurance, a receipt or a reminder there is a fee of 10p each. It is worth double checking the SMS receipt and reminder are switched off if you don’t want them, otherwise you will be charged. Claire
Well done the Council…some folk are just plain socially irresponsible, imo.
Well done! Without Council vigilance and persistence, many places which ought to be rural and/or beautiful would become eyesores that spoil our lovely country.
Three aspects are not touched upon in this report, and in fact don’t appear anywhere:
How much have the heat pumps, solar panels and low-energy lighting cost? Has this been included in the projected estimated saving of over £1million a year?
What is the carbon footprint of all the manufacturing, transportation, and installation of these upgrades – how will that affect the claim to remain on track to become carbon neutral by 2040?
With the average age (failure point) of solar panels at 25 years, by 2040 we will be close to being back at square one!
Hi Jeff, the measures mentioned in the article and report were funded through a £19m grant from government. You can find out more about the funding and what it paid for here.
All new products have some form of carbon footprint associated with their manufacture, transportation, installation etc. But unlike many other products, carbon saving technologies have the added benefit of saving more emissions throughout their life than were emitted in making, transporting, and installing them.
The council is currently working towards better understanding the carbon footprint of all items we purchase, so we can work with suppliers to help reduce supply chain emissions.
Regarding your point on the average lifespan of solar panels, we would have to disagree about being back where we started by 2040. Over the next 25 years, the solar panels installed as part of this project are expected to save around 5,000,000 kilowatts of electricity and over 1,000 tonnes of carbon emissions (based on current emissions from the grid) per year.
We hope we’ve covered your points, but if you have any questions on this project please get in touch with our climate team by emailing climate@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk.
Why has the Council agreed to demolishing the old Weymouth Council offices (North Quay) thus releasing huge amounts of EMBODIED carbon – and this for a car park ! Surely some use could be found for this large building ? Cheaper to convert than provide places for asylum seekers on a barge ! Speak to the Home Office !
Why cannot I find any information or links to information on bus timetables on this site?
Hi – you can find bus timetables at https://www.travelinesw.com/
An excellent addition to the 2 Fast EV Charging Points in Bonnets Lane Car Park, Wareham; provided by MER for DC last year.
Please identify roadworks map more easily to find.
Well done to all in Wareham who supported this project.
Carol Turner Mayor of Wareham
No toilets available on the station especially disabled toilets
Hello Jean, thank you for your feedback, South West Rail are responsible for the toilets at the station and through the partnership working we had hoped that they would have been opened, or at least trialled. Unfortunately, Dorset Council has no control over this decision. Kirstie
In general the new design is welcome but when there are no toilets in a station that really detracts from its facilities, to put it mildly. Dreadful, for all passengers and users.
I also think the access to the road is very difficult for all drivers and I have no idea why all taxis aren’t allowed across the mostly empty main forecourt.
South West Rail are responsible for the toilets at the station and through the partnership working we had hoped that they would have been opened, or at least trialled. Unfortunately, Dorset Council has no control over this decision. Kirstie
When@re you going to issue November info.? We are past October nearly December
Hi, it was posted here on 23 October – https://news.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/2023/10/23/dorset-road-fix-resurfacing-november-2023/ Claire
These published road fix dates are out of date,need new notifications please,is sure I am not alone in thinking this.
Hi, it looks like the most recent e-newsletter was linking to the October list, so apologies. Here is a link to the November dates – https://news.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/2023/10/23/dorset-road-fix-resurfacing-november-2023/
I posted a comment yesterday which for whatever reason has not been recognised to date.
The use of S I D devices is a worthwhile and doubtless cost effective visual aid for conciencious drivers. Question, does the device record breaches of the speed limit and, does the council use such information to install traffic calming measures?
Are there any upcoming events or announcements previewed on the Dorset Council’s news page that residents should be aware of?
Hi – the timescale for the Local Plan can be found at https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/planning-buildings-land/planning-policy/dorset-council-local-plan/key-stages-of-the-plan We don’t have any events scheduled. FIona
Beryl Bikes are a great idea! I’m fortunate to have driven in France, and one really learns the importance of being much more respectful of cyclists than the average English driver tends to be there. One also gets to appreciate decently maintained roads. This morning, driving from my home in Crewkerne to Lyme, I steered gingerly around five pot-holes (on the Dorset part of the journey) all of which would have caused a cyclist to crash. I know through work travel the roads in Somerset, Cornwall, Devon and Wiltshire are no better. I also know that the Dorset Council’s staff would act today to improve things if central government gave them the budgets to do so. Perhaps a Conservative controlled authority might put pressure on central government to do something to improve budgets for roads and so much else? Yes, I live in Somerset, but lived in Dorchester for years and work in Dorset. One hears the joking phase ‘first world problems’ all the time to explain things that annoy us. But for all road users, appalling roads is a ‘third world problem’. Especially for cyclists and those who have to drive older cars as no other transport exists. I have seen worse roads in Europe – but only in Athens after the crash.
What will be the criteria for the Spring review?.
Hi Richard, this has yet to be drawn up, but we will take into account if any issues have happened with the removal of the restriction, how people are using the beach etc. Fiona
Hi Fiona, could you kindly clarify what would be perceived as an “issue”? We know from asking under the Freedom of Information Act that many emails of “complaint” were opinions from those who stated that eg “dogs should be on leads” “I think dogs shouldn’t be on the beach” ” I saw a dog wee-ing”. Is this the kind of “evidence” that would be taken into account in the Spring Review?
Or will it be concrete evidence, eg video evidence of something actually happening?
Debbie – As I responded to Linda – the criteria hasn’t been worked on yet, so I am unable to answer this at this time. Fiona
The rules for all dogs should be made simple and straightforward – all dogs should be kept on leads of no more than 2 metres in all public places. This will ensure the safety of the public and cut down fouling in these areas. Fenced dog exercise areas should be provided for dogs to be off lead .
I see no provision has been made in the PSPO for those with disabilities who do not have an assistance dog but have a pet dog, for safe accessible access to the front beach in Lyme Regis. Dorset Council have stated there is no other place suitable in Lyme Regis For the disabled to give off lead exercise for their dogs.
Hi Delphine – the restriction that currently applies to Lyme Regis front beach will be removed from the 1 january. This means that any dog owner will be able to use that beach, it’s not dependant upon whether they are assistance or pet dogs. I hope this clarifies this point for you. Fiona
Thank you our question is how will you monitor Lyme Regis beach, what evidence will you accept to prove locals and visitors using Lyme Regis Beach with their dogs will be included in any documentation during any reviews, would this need to be accompanied by photos will it just be Dog Warden and Lyme Regis Town Council officers who will monitor this or will the public need to contact Lyme Regis Town Council who have asked for this ammendment to the Dorset Wide Consultation Dog Related
Hi Linda – as I said we haven’t worked up the how yet. Fiona
I believe Delphine is referring to ALL year access as a disability doesn’t vanish in the summer months.
Hi Debbie – our wardens have been given advice about managing these situations sensitively. It is a balancing act, but the main issue is preventing or clearing up after your dog. If a dog is under control, and close at hand then the owner will be able to do this. Fiona
So dogs can no longer fetch a ball? Surely anyone knows that is what they love doing???????
Children wee and poo on the beaches all the time. Adults bury nappies and other litter in the sand.
You will end up with anxious, stressed and under socialised, under exercised dogs. Not everyone who lives by a beach and relies on exercising their dogs there has transport to go elsewhere.
Not all dogs wearing muzzles are aggressive. Alot of them are used to stop them eating disguarded food left by people.
Have dog wardens who can hand out fines to owners that don’t pick up. Have a website where we can send body cam footage of aggressive dogs and owners.
You rely on dog owners to litter pick, so our dogs are safe in public areas, because the council doesn’t do it and yet you do everything you can to stop our dogs having any enjoyment.
I am done now, you can pick your own litter.
Could Dorset council please release the findings of their “consultation” and the reasons behind this “PSPO? As it stands, this restriction is in breach of the directives under the ECHR and is unlawful.
Hi Paul – you can find all the relevant documentation at https://moderngov.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/documents/s37251/Recommendation%20to%20Cabinet%20-%20Dog%20Related%20PSPO.pdf if you feel it is unlawful this is the period that you can challenge it in. Fiona
I would have preferred the name to stay the same ANOB, the new name does not reflect the beauty of our country. sorry but it sounds like a landscaping company. think of all the OS / mapping that is now obsolete. More landfill.
Hi Carl – this is a national change. Fiona
I am really unclear if this order relates to all beaches in Dorset all of the time (except Lyme regis). The news report states specific beaches. Could you clarify please or signpost me to where i can find this information.
Hi Justine – you can find all the information at https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/countryside-coast-parks/dog-walking-in-dorset/walking-dogs-on-beaches Fiona
I Agree with Carl; this is a waste of time, energy and resources when there is plenty of substantive work to be done without having to explain a name change nationally.
A few months ago it was reported that Gillingham and Wyke has had it’s public transport (bus) reinstated.
That is not true! The vast area of Wyke has been excluded.
Common Mead Lane has a bus stop near the top end (furthest from town centre) but has not had a bus service since the service stopped around the time that Covid emerged.
The area has many cul-de-sacs, containing hundreds of bungalows, most of them occupied by pensioners (the most needy of a bus service).
Please will the council look into this and help restore a very much needed bus service.
Hi – If this was reported in the press then you will need to talk to them about this. We are working with all the transport operators to improve public transport across the county. You can read more at https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/bus-service-improvement-plan Fiona.
There’s plenty of talk about this gimmicky rebranding, but no comment on what that means in terms of planning.
Is the new National landscape an actual designation with the same weight of the AONB designation within the planning?
It’s fair to be a tad suspicious of the need to rebrand a globally recognised designation, and one wonders whether the old qualifier to become an AONB area is the same as the new NL designation? Are we going to find that actually it’s a whole different set of requirements and suddenly what was AONB starts to fall outside of what is currently deemed national landscape?
Hi Sarah – this is anational change. As far as we understand it is a name change only and there is no change in designation and how we consider these areas for planning purposes. Fiona
neighbourhood plan – would be good to have maps you can actually read
Please can you tell me when you are planning to resurface St James Road, Netherbury? We live in Bowdowns, and a few months ago were told the road was going to be resurfaced and to park elsewhere (we have no off road parking). Nothing happened. We have massive potholes, a patchwork of badly laid and broken road surfaces, and really bad drainage. The road’s always covered in washed out gravel and mud, and is never cleaned. Potholes are occasionally filled, but last days only as the job’s never done properly, just a bucket of tarmac dumped in on top of water and loose gravel which comes straight out again. We’re extremely keen to know when the road will be repaired properly and drainage issues are going to be addressed. I would appreciate a reply. Thank you.
Hi Sarah, please can you complete the details on our online form where you can pinpoint on the map: https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/roads-highways-maintenance/report-a-problem-on-the-road-or-pavement Thanks, Claire
The whole of Gillingham is becoming a race track. Plus no regards for red lights. We have over two thousand children in various schools where some pavements are not wide enough for more than one person.
There used to be a speed camera on the approaches from East Stour and Shaftesbury. This was not a perfect deterrent but it was a start in making people aware. Speeding fines could provide one solution while boosting the local economy.
Yvonne
Hi Yvonne, please can you contact Gillingham Town Council with your concerns: https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/your-council/parish-and-town-councils/parishatoz/-/ddl_display/ddl/424621/274688/maximized Many thanks, Claire