WATAG’s public meeting held on 29 January 2026 included a presentation of our initial ‘Vision for the Future’ for public transport in our area. We believe that the frequency of bus services MUST improve but we need to demonstrate to both Dorset Council and the bus operators that investment will work for everyone.
You may view the presentation here and read the speaker notes here
We welcome your input – this is very much ‘work in progress’ – please email us with your feedback at watag@hotmail.co.uk
UPDATE:
The minutes for this general meeting (GM129) and the preceding AGM may be viewed or downloaded here
The next Public meeting of the West Dorset (Western Area) Transport Action Group (WATAG) will be held on Thursday 29 January 2026 at 18.30
Bridport Town Council Offices, Mountfield, Bridport DT6 3JP
The evening will start with our Annual General Meeting, at which the Chair will give a quick review of the last 12 months. We’ve had a busy year – with a number of new committee members bringing a wider range of expertise – and also relaunched a much improved website.
We then continue with our Public Meeting. This will include a presentation of WATAG’s initial “Vision for the Future” of public transport in our area. We believe that the frequency of bus services MUST improve but we need to demonstrate to both Dorset Council and the bus operators that investment will work for everyone. We will share our thinking on this – it is very much “work in progress” and we encourage feedback!
The meeting starts at 18.30 (doors open from 18.00) and we aim to finish by 20.00. As always, you will be most welcome to share your views and raise questions about local bus and rail services. We have invited representatives form Dorset Council and rail and bus companies to join us if they wish, to provide their own updates.
Anyone interested in public transport issues is encouraged to attend. We are also keen to widen our committee, so if you are interested in joining our Advisory Group, please let us know, either in advance or after the meeting.
This will be a ‘hybrid’ meeting, and a link will be provided to enable those unable to attend in person to join us on Zoom. Please consider joining our email list to be sent the link, or you are welcome to contact us at watag@hotmail.co.uk
DORSET COUNCIL MEDIA RELEASE – MONDAY 8 DECEMBER 2025
Dorset Council has secured £12m in multi-year bus funding from Government to improve services and stops across the county from 2026/27 to 2028/29. While this is a welcome boost, it falls short of what’s needed to deliver consistent hourly routes and full Saturday timetables. Over the next three years, £6.8m in revenue funding will help Dorset Council and local operators make targeted upgrades, such as restoring some Saturday services and improving frequencies where demand is strongest. £5.2m in capital funding will pay for better bus stops and real-time information, with capital support continuing to 2029/30. These improvements will still make a difference for residents who rely on buses for essential journeys, even if they cannot match the scale of investment seen elsewhere. However, Dorset’s allocation is significantly lower than neighbouring and similar rural authorities. Cornwall will receive £30m and Somerset £22m, while Plymouth and Wiltshire also have higher shares. This means Dorset cannot deliver the same level of service improvements seen elsewhere, and the council will continue pressing for a fairer long-term share.
South Western Railway and Network Rail are set to restore the full West of England Line timetable on Saturday 29 November
A reduced service has operated since August due to the UK’s driest ever spring and summer, which affected track conditions from Yeovil to Exeter
Conditions have improved and engineers are carrying out track repairs that will allow trains to travel at regular speeds
When restored, direct train services between London Waterloo and Exeter St Davids will once again run hourly, to their regular journey times. Passengers can check before travelling with journey planners now fully up to date
This is a summary of the West Dorset Western Area Transport Action Group’s (WATAG) response to the second consultation on the Dorset Council/BCP Council Local Transport Plan 4 (LTP4), emphasising the need for sustainable transport solutions.
WATAG supports LTP4’s goal of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions from transport by 2050 and promoting inclusive, sustainable communities. Concerns arise regarding LTP4’s insufficient integration with the draft Local Plan, particularly in defining and supporting ‘sustainable’ economic growth. Key performance indicators for greenhouse gas emissions need to be more stringent, encompassing all greenhouse gases and ensuring absolute reductions rather than per capita metrics.
Implementation Plan Concerns
The first Implementation Plan (2026-31) lacks specific commitments, with future plans showing even less clarity. Financial constraints faced by Dorset Council should encourage greater collaboration with local authorities and third-sector organisations, which is currently lacking. WATAG expresses a desire to participate in developing the Bridport Region Integrated Links network and similar initiatives for other Tier 2 settlements like Lyme Regis and Beaminster.
Transport Strategy and Local Needs
WATAG generally agrees with LTP4’s principles but highlights ambiguities that could undermine its effectiveness, particularly in defining sustainable economic development. The draft Local Plan aims to improve connectivity and employment opportunities in Western Dorset, but LTP4’s proposals fall short of meeting these goals. The definition of ‘sustainable transport’ in LTP4 is supported, but the lack of ambitious proposals for Western Dorset is disappointing, with only seven projects listed for the area compared to more for other regions.
Bridport Region Integrated Links (BRIL)
BRIL aims to create a network of high-quality public transport and active travel corridors, with inter-urban buses providing direct services to key destinations. Proposed measures include prioritising buses in town centres and enhancing service frequencies to make public transport more competitive with car travel. A mobility hub in Bridport is envisioned to connect various transport modes and support an expanded active-travel network, with potential for on-demand rural services.
Conclusions and Recommendations
WATAG welcomes LTP4’s ambitions but stresses the need for better integration with the draft Local Plan and clearer definitions of sustainable economic growth. We call for tighter greenhouse gas emissions indicators and more specific commitments in the Implementation Plan for Western Dorset. WATAG is eager to collaborate on developing transport solutions that address local needs and enhance connectivity in the region.
Government-owned National Highways has been accused of selective reporting when defending its controversial tree felling near the old Bridport branch railway bridge at Barrowland Lane, Toller Porcorum (Bridport News, 30 Oct. 2021). The organisation had said it was asked to do the work by Dorset Council as part of measures to stop the bridge being further damaged by tree growth.
Moreover the head of National Highways’ Historical Railways’ Estate Programme Hélène Rossiter had claimed that “Any plans to demolish the bridge over Barrowland Lane are currently on hold as part of a national pause on infilling and demolition activity across the HRE.”
But local transport campaigners point out that official documents show that National Highways and Dorset Council are working together to demolish the bridge in the near future despite the national pause. A National Highways’ internal paper sets out a “business case” for knocking down the structure even though the bridge “does not require immediate work”. National Highways admits that remedial measures “were not originally programmed for a few more years” but says that Dorset County [sic] Council is pushing hard for complete demolition during the national pause, as part of the Council’s plans to turn part of the old railway line into a travel path for walkers, cyclists and horse riders.
Bob Driscoll, chair of the West Dorset Western Area Transport Action Group (WATAG), says “It is very disturbing that these public organisations are keeping people in the dark about their true plans. WATAG supports the principle of using the old railway line for active travel. But there is no obvious need for the bridge to be knocked down to achieve this.”
WATAG says that Dorset Council has not consulted with the public or local landowners about the best way to provide access to the new path. The transport campaigners also point out that the new Dorset Local Plan and Local Transport Plan are still being prepared. They argue it is short sighted to get rid of a potentially critical piece of transport infrastructure before these plans are approved.
According to National Highways the demolition and other work asked for by the council will cost around £175,000. WATAG believes that National Highways is keen to press on so it can use money it is finding hard to spend elsewhere during the national pause. The campaigners point out that the National Highways’ business case lists no consultees outside Dorset Council. Bob Driscoll believes this is a deliberate tactic. “National Highways are willing to argue in secret that the council officers ‘are keen to press forward with the works and are happy to write to, or speak with, anyone in order to ensure that the works are not halted.’ It’s a disgrace that neither National Highways nor Dorset Council have been open about their discussions.”
Following the publication of the winter timetable for the X51 and X53 services by First Bus, and in response to concerns raised by local residents, Dorset Council has worked closely with the operator to reinstate the previous winter timetable. This ensures continued connectivity between Weymouth, Dorchester, Bridport, Lyme Regis and Axminster throughout the winter months. Both organisations have reviewed service levels and agreed arrangements that restore the core winter timetable residents rely on: –
Weekday afternoon gap removed between Dorchester and Bridport, restoring a continuous service for workers, families and students.
Saturday links reinstated, ensuring meaningful weekend travel between towns.
Hospital access maintained, with services stopping for Dorset County Hospital appointments and visiting
From Monday 22 September, an afternoon journey will run to ensure students from The Thomas Hardye School can get home to Bridport and surrounding communities while the operator finalises vehicles and driver scheduling for the full timetable’
Both Dorset Council and First recognise the importance of the connection with the 07:35 Axminster train to Exeter. Teams are actively working on options to improve this link and will provide a further update shortly. These operational arrangements follow the usual practice in which operators set timetables for commercial services. The Council can influence services where public funding is involved, working with operators within available resources and rules, including driver hours and rest periods. Today’s announcement reflects that shared responsibility and a commitment to keep communities moving through the winter.
We appreciate the feedback from residents, schools, Transport Action Groups, businesses and health partners about recent changes. We acknowledge concerns about consultation and will plan earlier and more openly ahead of next year’s timetable, continuing to monitor reliability and connections across the corridor.
Reduced Bus Services throw Dorset Council’s long term transport plans into turmoil
Key Bus services in West Dorset are set to be reduced with the introduction of the winter timetables, due to start on 21 September. The important Dorchester – Bridport – Axminster axis will suffer some of the most drastic cuts. Just 5 services each way will operate on weekdays between Dorchester and Bridport with the last service departing an hour earlier than now. Only 3 (westbound) and 4 (eastbound) will now run on Saturdays, with none on Sundays.
Services operating from Bridport and Lyme Regis to Axminster have also been reduced, with the new timings providing poorer connections with the rail services towards Exeter. Students will be particularly badly hit – the only option for those needing arrive in Exeter by 9am will be to leave Bridport at 05.55. Getting home in the afternoon will be equally difficult – the connection arrives back in Bridport at 19.42 – resulting in close to a 14 hour day. None of the local Transport Action Groups (TAGs) were formally consulted on these changes. One TAG leader said “These service reductions go against everything that Dorset Council are promoting in their Local Transport Plan (LTP4) which is currently out for consultation”.
LTP4 is intended to promote “Public transport that is inclusive and accessible” with the objective for West Dorset being to “enhance the frequency and reliability of strategic inter-urban routes, providing better access to employment, education and healthcare.” The plan also calls for better connectivity between bus and rail. Another TAG leader commented “This political decision to reduce bus services on these core routes will only force more people to take to their cars”
