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  • WATAG hits out at secret plans to demolish railway bridge


    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.”

  • X51/X53 winter bus timetable to be restored after community concerns

    Dorset Council Statement 19/09/25

    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.

  • WATAG Press Release – Reduced Bus Services in West Dorset


    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”