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.
MORE could be done to convert redundant shops to homes and make use of spaces above commercial properties - Dorchester town councillors have been told. The town planning committee heard that bringing homes back into the town centre would help keep remaining businesses afloat and could encourage more, niche, shops and cafes to move in. Local businessman Peter Noble told the online meeting he had no doubt that, like Marks & Spencer, other large retailers would go, leaving the county town with empty properties – unless it was quick to do something about it. He said the former M&S store could be converted to homes with parking spaces accessible from the rear of the building in Trinity Street.
TWO performance and arts venues may be better than one – according to Dorchester councillors. They have welcomed a £1.5m cash injection which will help meet the cost of redeveloping the Thomas Hardye School Theatre and the town’s Municipal Buildings. Additional payments to the projects will come from the town council, Dorchester Arts and the school. The £1.5m comes mainly from developer contributions through the Duchy development at Poundbury, but also from other larger building projects in the town over recent years. Local councillor Andy Canning said the fact that the two schemes were going ahead was important for Dorchester, especially after the failure to attract Arts England backing for the proposed £12m arts venue at The Maltings in Brewery Square.