Record highways funding makes additional £5m available for Dorset’s roads
Dorset Council has approved measures that make an additional £5.25m available for highways to tackle flood impacts and cut the risk of future disruption. The package includes a £5m capital flood‑resilience fund to target known hotspots and repair storm‑damaged sections, plus £250,000 for a new, dedicated gully cleaning crew to clear roadside gullies that have […]
Dorset pushes joint plans to make everyday travel easier
Dorset Council is bringing together plans to improve buses and community transport with safer walking, cycling, and using a wheelchair or mobility scooter – so more people can reach work, school, health appointments and local shops without always needing a car. Two linked reports going to Cabinet this month set out the approach: Transforming Public and […]
North Dorset slope stabilisation starts in January
A 12-month programme to stabilise the slopes of Dinah’s Hollow on a stretch of the C13 road between Blandford and Shaftesbury will begin on Monday 5 January 2026. Several landslips over the years have posed a serious threat to public safety, and as the highway authority, the Council has a legal duty to make the area safe. Although […]
Reducing the carbon impact of roadworks: Dorset on course for a greener future
One of Dorset County Council’s aims is to ensure that the roads are in good condition, however, maintaining and fixing roads can cause disruption, such as closures and diversions, and it creates carbon emissions, especially when using hot asphalt. Since 2021, the Council have been working with highways maintenance partners, Heidelberg Materials, to reduce the environmental […]
New 20mph zones announced for Dorset communities
New 20mph zones are to be introduced in five Dorset towns and villages this autumn. This follows applications submitted by the respective town/parish councils. We carried out detailed assessments of each application, including public consultation when residents shared their comments, support or objections before decisions were made. This was through what is known as a […]
Solar savings for Dorset’s highways
Dorset Council is feeling the benefit of the sun after installing solar panels on its highways depots in Charminster, Ferndown and Wareham. Since the installations in 2022, the Council has saved approximately £54,000 a year in energy costs and significantly reduced the highways team’s carbon emissions. The three schemes were part of a programme to install […]
Council unveils public transport improvement plans
Dorset County Councill has revealed plans to enhance public transport through a series of projects. The Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) includes more frequent services and launching community transport schemes. Developed in partnership with local transport operators, the plan aims to achieve improvements in areas including Weymouth, Dorchester, Bridport, Sturminster Newton, and Gillingham, while maintaining […]