More Sustainable Travel, Recreation and Tourism for Dorset
We work in partnership with local councils, businesses, volunteers, and conservation groups to maintain and improve the Trailway, helping to connect communities and support health, wellbeing, and biodiversity across Dorset.
Before the transition to a Unitary Council in 2019, North Dorset District Council granted NDTN £70,000 primarily for the extension of the Trailway through land acquisition. We are thrilled to have this boost to the charity’s funds which will make us a credible partner when many grant applications are looking for matching funding.
We are working with the Shepton Mallet & Somerset Circle Project to eventually link to the Somerset section of the Somerset and Dorset Railway. The Strawberry Line path is an important section of this.
Okeford Fitzpaine Little Lane link to the Trailway
Trailway Network member Dilys Gartside successfully campaigned for a neglected lane to be improved and surfaced, offering a quiet and safer route to the Trailway from Okeford Fitzpaine and surrounding villages which was open for use in early 2018 funding for which was obtained from a LEADER grant. Click here for more details. For a map of the Okeford Fitzpaine Link click here.
Future Strategy for the Trailway
We are working closely with Dorset Council for the extension of the Trailway northwards from Sturminster Newton to link with Stalbridge and eventually to sections in Somerset. Southwards we hope to extend from Spetisbury to Sturminster Marshall, and eventually towards Corfe Mullen and Poole.
An Impact Assessment from the Market Research Group at Bournemouth University supports our case for improved quality of life for local people and increased employment in recreation and tourism.
Our future strategy is to respond to consultations from Dorset Council such as the Dorset Local Plan, Local Transport Plan, Active Travel Infrastructure Plan (ATIP) and the Dorset Rights of Way Improvement Plan (RoWIP) highlighting the need for strategic planning to include the safeguarding of the old Somerset & Dorset Railway track bed (where possible) and to include links within new significant developments close to the route.
Safe road crossings for all users must be ensured where detours need to be made.
Reducing our Carbon Footprint: Using a bike or walking instead of an efficient family hatchback will save 1.2kg of CO2 over a 10km journey. Thanks to the Trailway many local journeys to school and work are now CO2-free and the roads have fewer vehicles on them.