Bridport Town Council has shared its ‘concern’ over how Dorset Council will deal with requests for 20mph speed zones.

The "20mph speed limit approach" report was heard before the Place and Resources overview committee on Thursday.

The report sets out the standard approach Dorset Council will take when it is asked to consider supporting the implementation of a 20mph zone. It does not indicate wider support for - or opposition to - such proposals.

As it stands, the Department for Transport is encouraging highway authorities to introduce 20mph limits in urban areas and village streets where “there are or – could be – significant numbers of journeys on, foot where pedal cycle movements are an important consideration, and this outweighs the disadvantage of longer journey times for motorised traffic.”

A report outlining the principles and impact of implementing such a policy across the Dorset Council area has been submitted for consideration.

There have been two previous committee hearings on the subject, the first on December 17 2020 and the second on the April 21 2022.

Bridport Town councillor Dr Kelvin Clayton believes that although Dorset Council's policy is a step in the right direction, it does not go far enough in his opinion.

He added: “I would like to see a commitment to introducing a speed limit of 20mph on all streets in Dorset where people live, work, play or learn. This will not only ensure greater safety for pedestrians and cyclists but encourage more walking and cycling.”

In the past, Dorset Council has said they support the policy "in principle" but that it would not be practical to enforce a blanket 20mph speed limit across all proposed sites.

In Dorset Council's supporting '20mph Policy' document, they say communities considering a 20mph scheme as part of the town/parish council funded schemes are required to establish a Community Speed Watch.

CSW will be used as a way of gaining evidence of existing speeds and encouraging improved compliance with the speed limit.

Leader of Bridport Town Council Cllr Dave Rickard, says there is ‘some concern amongst councillors’ regarding the establishment of a CSW.

He added: “This appears to be far too onerous and tedious, given that Bridport town has already embarked on a detailed access and movement study which has shown support for such a scheme.

“Also, a residential survey last year at selected spots in the town and surrounding parishes came up with many hotspots that residents have been identifying for a long time that a 20mph zone would be welcome.”

Mayor Cllr Ian Bark said that he ‘welcomes’ Dorset Council’s engagement in the use of 20mph speed limits.

He added: “We’ve been encouraging them over the last year to look more seriously at the idea, as one of a number of ways in which we can make our streets more pedestrian and cycle friendly.

“It’s a particular issue for Bridport town centre, highlighted in the Access & Movement Study we published in June 2021, and if the discussion on Thursday helps to bring us closer to some changes, we’ll be delighted.”