20mph speed limit sign Picture: PA Change is needed for the way community 20mph zones in Dorset are dealt with, councillors have been told. Several say the Government guidelines are too strict and wrongly based on accident figures rather than making a positive contribution to where people live. Cllr Roland Tarr says the current thinking needs to be reversed, especially with coronavirus, and ways need to be found to slow traffic down and persuade cyclists and pedestrian to make more use of the roads. Councillors at a meeting heard there was widespread frustration with the 20mph zone application process with many communities wanting the lower speed limits – only to be told they did not meet the guidelines.
Dorchester Market Picture: Trevor Bevins WITH a continuing fall in income at Dorchester’s markets a ‘full and frank’ discussion about the future will be held behind closed doors in January. Income at the main Wednesday stall market was £23,000 down in the last financial year – before the pandemic - and will be even worse in the current financial year. Operators Ensors has already asked for a reduction in the fees they pay for the weekly event. The council-run Sunday car boot income is also down because many of the markets have been unable to be held. Councillors have been told that £4,800 in fees from the occasional farmers market has still not been paid. That business is separate from the other markets and not connected with Ensors.