Decision due on controversial highways depot

LOOS and a picnic stop off the A35 west of Bridport are to be demolished if approval is given for a controversial new highways depot this week.

The redevelopment of the site, at the Eype turning, is being recommended for approval when the Dorset Council area planning committee meets on Thursday (17 July).

National Highways want to turn the site into an area operational base for maintenance from 2026 – when its current maintenance contract with Balfour Beatty ends.

The plans allow for the demolition and removal of all existing buildings and the building of a new highway depot, including a single-storey office building, a 3,000-tonne 'salt barn', garages with associated parking and landscaping. Around 15 staff are expected to work from the site, if planning is approved.

Almost 120 people had written to Dorset Council about the proposal, most saying the site is one of the few rest stops on the A35 in Dorset and is busy throughout the year, especially in summer, and that another depot site should be found. Several alternatives were identified.

The planned depot.

Bridport Town Council say while it recognised the need for a depot in the area, a rest and loos area is needed for passing motorists. It has suggested funding should to be given for it to develop a rest area on the Bridport Football Club car park.

"While the council understands and supports the need for a highway depot in this area, this should not be at the expense of the amenity provided for those travelling on the A35," said the town council in its comments.

Symondsbury parish council say that even if only 3per cent of users of the site are HGV drivers, as the Agency suggests, it is still a lot of lorries given the volume of traffic on the A35.

National Highways say in response to the comments that it needs a site on the A35, especially in poor weather, when a rapid deployment of highway vehicles might be needed, and the area chosen is the best one available. It adds that vehicle movements at the site would drop from over 700 a day, to around 60.

Dorset Council officers say the closure of the site to the public could be of benefit to Bridport with drivers seeking to stop in the town for a rest and refreshments and will also provide a jobs boost during construction and once completed.

It believes there are adequate options locally for rest, refreshment and toilets.

An officer report to this Thursday's committee says: "In economic terms the scheme would provide jobs during construction in addition to those when operating. It is likely more will be spent in the businesses in and around Bridport due to travellers visiting, rather than using the current site. There is also the economic benefit of the efficient and timely gritting of roads to keep traffic flowing freely."