The extensive projects connecting communities to the coast has been highlighted and celebrated with

Dorset Coast Connections - people and places video has launched to showcase this portfolio of 18 projects along the Dorset coast from Lyme Regis to Christchurch, which improve physical, digital and emotional connection. It can be seen at the top of this page.

These include the West Bay welcome hub, improvements to the footpath along the old railway line from West Bay to Bridport, West Dorset Walkers Welcome and the parish markers, WIFI and The Art of Litter Free Food and Drink, which included large timber structures installed at seaside locations.

The projects aimed to improve the public places we use and cherish by making them more attractive, functional and providing a sense of place.

The Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government awarded £5.6 million of Coastal Community Funding in May 2017 to the project, following a successful partnership portfolio bid co-ordinated by Dorset Coast Forum (DCF).

Together, with match funding from many partner organisations, this collaboration of projects has invested £18.5 million to connect urban and rural coastal areas and has worked with communities to promote the Dorset coast.

The project was driven by four key themes:

• Sustaining and developing the tourism economy
• Having thriving and dynamic coastal and maritime businesses to encourage economic growth
• Connecting the urban, rural and coastal communities across the Dorset coast
• Conserving, enhancing and promoting Dorset's special natural and cultural assets

With most of the Dorset Coastal Connections projects completed by December 2019, the final few are due to be completed by summer 2021.

Rhiannon Jones, DCF co-ordinator, said: "The DCF team is very proud to be a part of such an amazing collection of collaborative projects which were made possible by the Coastal Community Fund, match funding and the great work of everyone involved, including the project partners, funders, artists and construction teams.

"We feel the film celebrates all the time and effort everyone has put in to delivering Dorset Coastal Connections."

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