BEAMINSTER Town Council (BTC) is preparing to submit a bid to extend the 20mph zones in the area amid concerns over pedestrian safety and speeding.

A consultation has been launched to gauge residents' views on expanding the zone, which currently runs for a short distance through Hogshill Street and the square.

Town councillors say they have been speaking with people living in the nearby 30mph zones who expressed concern about speeding and a lack of pavements along these routes.

One of the areas being touted as a possible 20mph limit zone is the section between The Ollerod restaurant and entrance to Parnham House towards Bridport, known as the Southgate area of town.

Other locations in the west Dorset town which could also see speeds lowered include North Street and Clay Lane, the latter of which passes St Mary's Academy.

It comes after a series of recent crashes on the busy A3066 which passes through Beaminster, including a two-vehicle collision on the mini-roundabout in the town centre earlier this month. 

BTC clerk Christine Bright said the local authority is one of many across Dorset which can apply to have 20mph zones implemented in their areas.

She is now calling on residents to have their say via the survey and report any collisions or near misses on their roads to Dorset Council to reinforce BTC's application.

"It was brought about many months ago when members of the public in Southgate approached the town council and asked if there was anything we could do with the speed of traffic exiting and entering the town," Ms Bright said.

"Because there are no pavements down there and the traffic is going quite fast, we approached Dorset Council, who were reviewing their 20mph schemes.

"They have now adopted a 20mph policy and that is open for applications from town and parish councils across Dorset.

"We are asking people to fill in a survey about what areas they think should be included.

"It is all evidence based, and while people can say they had a near miss, it has to be reported to Dorset Council.

"Really we are gathering information and evidence to put our application in."

Ms Bright added time was of the essence in terms of submitting proposals, reiterating that BTC is up against several other authorities in Dorset.

The clerk also said that if the 20mph zones were extended, she 'would like to think' that drivers will take note.

"I would like to think road users would take into account their surroundings, really," Ms Bright said.

"The A3066 is a busy road which goes right through our small town and you can see the restrictive nature of the historic buildings."

The proposals to extend the 20mph zones have had a mixed reaction from Beaminster drivers on Facebook, with one motorist saying the move would be 'a bit pointless if not policed'

Others called for alternative measures to slow drivers down, such as speed bumps.

A Dorset Council spokesperson said: "The town council contacted us to seek guidance on the new 20mph policy and it was highlighted that one key element for consideration is whether there is demonstratable and quantifiable community support for extending the current 20mph zone.

"We will consider any application made by the town council."

For more information on the BTC proposals and to fill in the survey, click here.