A Chideock resident's mission for there to be a safe route between the village and Bridport for walkers and cyclists is gaining support.

Winston Maskell is leading a project to link up the two, which he first voiced last September. He has been in talks with both Symondsbury Parish Council and Chideock Parish Council, as well as Dorset councillors and West Dorset MP Chris Loder, with the Chideock Bypass Working Group also in support of the proposal.

A year on and Mr Maskell has been working with Deirdre Coates, of Chideock Manor, to prepare a project document to be submitted to Dorset Council by spring 2022.

He said: "We have identified and reconnoitred three possible routes emanating from the eastern edge of the village, two of these routes adjacent to the south. All of these routes, for their whole or in part, would need to have the support of the relevant landowners."

A fourth route is incorporated into the project document, which demands Dorset Highways carries out works to reinstate Hell Lane and the upper part of Shute's Lane so it can be used.

Mr Maskell added: "Hell Lane and Shute's Lane are of historical interest, possibly as an Anglo-Saxon 'Holloway' and together, for centuries, have formed a link from North Chideock through to Symondsbury.

"Hell Lane at North Chideock is reasonably close to where National Cycle Route no.2 (NCR 2) passes through Whitchurch Canonicorum and would allow users of NCR 2 to travel into the Chideock - Symondsbury - Bridport - West Bay area avoiding the A35.

"Should these two lanes be brought up to a standard making them usable for cyclists, walkers etc, the issue of allowing 4x4s and trail motorcycles to also use the lanes would need to be addressed due to the damage caused by these vehicles."

Mr Maskell says that the residents of Chideock and Seatown are "fully aware" of the project and letters and emails of support are growing.

He said: "To those who have shown their support already, we are extremely grateful and would ask that anyone who has not yet made their support known, please do so.

"This project is not seen as something of benefit to Chideock residents only. We see this to have social, health and economic benefits to all who live, work, have business interests - especially the tourism/hospitality industries - or visit the area on holiday in the general area, from Charmouth round to Whitchurch Canonicorum, Broadoak, Dottery, Bridport and West Bay.

"We ask that any persons seeing this as a worthwhile project to please send letters of support to [email protected]. These letters are a vitally important part of the project and are needed to convince Dorset Council there is an urgent need for a traffic-free trail allowing safe walking, riding, cycling and wheelchair 'tramping' between Chideock and Bridport."

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