Dorset village request for 20mph zone rejected by council

It's prompted claims from a national group campaigning for 20mph zones that Dorset Council is the worst authority in the country for agreeing to lower speed limits, saying it puts “every obstacle it could in the way.”

The claim has been denied by the authority who says it is actively promoting more 20mph areas, provided they meet the criteria.

As previously reported, Dorset Council invited town and parish councils to apply for lower speed limits in their areas back in November. 

More than 30 applications for 20mph zones from across the county are currently being considered with five recently approved in principal under an initiative which the council says aims to make getting a lower speed limit easier.

Bridport town centre is one of the successful five. 

Beaminster Town Council has applied to extend its 20mph zone beyond Hogshill Street and the Square. 

Villagers in Fontmell Magna are angry their request has been turned down.

Several residents have either appeared at County Hall or written to the council to ask why their request for a 20mph zone on the A350 through the village was rejected.

They say that with a lack of pavements and a busy road with traffic often speeding ought to have made Fontmell Magna a prime candidate for a 20mph zone.

Said village Community Speed Watch coordinator, Peter Mole:“When cheap, simple and popular measures with many benefits and minimal disadvantages which protect the most vulnerable have been so widely introduced across Europe and elsewhere why do Dorset Councillors feel it is acceptable to routinely expose Fontmell Magna residents to such dangerous footways?”

A survey in Fontmell Magna discovered that almost half used a car for local journeys, instead of walking, due to the fear of having to cross the A350 on foot.

Said resident Alice Mole: “Many people of my age are frightened of walking along or across the road due to the exceptional level of risk. Increasing numbers, including those with children, are reporting being clipped by wing mirrors of passing cars and near misses.”

Residents say their were no third party objections to the 20mph application and overwhelming support from residents.

One quoted the “20s Plenty” campaign organiser as saying that no county puts up more barriers in the way of 20mph requests than Dorset.

Fontmell Magna Parish Council in its response to the decision to turn down the request says that it is “dismayed and shocked” by the Dorset Council response: “Councillors are not honouring the obligation to create a safe road environment which is fit for purpose and to fully take into account the composition of road users including quality of life and the needs of vulnerable road users.

“With overwhelming support for our application from those who live here and no identified third-party objecting to our wishes this is a curious day for democracy in local government. The rejection letter received loosely mentions reasons which we do not believe stand up to informed scrutiny or justify the continuation of dangerously high traffic speeds on roads without pavements where we would expect to safely walk or ride. Sadly, over time, our roads have not been adequately engineered or otherwise controlled to maintain normally accepted levels of safety,” said the parish letter.

“Why do Dorset Councillors feel that, in ignoring our wishes, it is reasonable for too many residents of Fontmell Magna to be frightened to cross the road to visit their neighbours, walk their dogs or do normal everyday activities on footways in the village?”

Dorset Council says that since its 20mph scheme was introduced in November 2022, eight applications have been considered and five approved in principal, subject to a legal process to introduce new traffic regulation orders and funding.

The council says that Fifehead Magdalen paused their application to consider an alternative application for a Speed Indicator Device while Fontmell Magna did not meet the required criteria for a 20mph limit.

It is understood that it was mainly ruled out because the A350 is considered a primary route which, under national guidance, 20mph zones would ‘not normally’ be approved.

Head of Highways Jack Wiltshire says the council has to operate within national guidelines, until they are changed.

He says Dorset Council will continue to work with the parish council to improve road safety in the village and has already put a speed indicator device in place.

Said Cllr Ray Bryan, Dorset Council Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel and Environment, said: “We are committed to working with local towns and parishes to promote road safety. Limiting speeds to 20mph where people walk, live and play is one way people can benefit from streets that are healthier and safer.”

The council say that each application is assessed against a set of requirements, with the authority funding schemes deemed to be a high priority with town and parish councils having the opportunity to self-fund lower priority schemes.

“If a proposed scheme does not meet the criteria, Dorset Council will work with town and parish councils on alternative ways to promote speed reduction, such as the installation of Speed Indicator Devices (SIDs).

“Schemes must offer the maximum benefit for the affected communities. This includes quality of life, healthier lifestyles, sustainability and environmental benefits, alongside other important considerations such as reduction of collisions,” said a council statement.