Last November a team of ‘guerrilla gardeners’ from Dorchester Transport Action Group (DTAG) were out and about behind Tesco’s tidying up a much used lane popular with pedestrians and cyclist.
The footpath between Sawmills Lane and Tesco’s is very narrow and had become overgrown with vegetation, hemmed in by chicken wire and potentially dangerous after dark.
Since then DTAG has continued to try and engage with Network Rail and Tesco’s about the path but with no response or acceptance of responsibility from either for keeping the pathway clear.
Stewart Palmer, DTAG Chair explained, “This path has always been well used by both pedestrians and cyclists yet nobody seems to accept responsibility for its maintenance and despite us voluntarily clearly the path last November and again contacting Network Rail and Tesco they have done nothing and the path is again overgrown.”
So once more the guerrilla gardeners are getting out their shears and cutters and will be out clearing the path on Saturday 8 June from 10am.
DTAG point out that if the town is serious about encouraging walking and cycling instead of using cars, there has to be good quality safe routes for walkers and cyclists. They invite local businesses, Network Rail, Duchy of Cornwall and Councils to have a plan to make a small but much needed improvement.
David Durose (DTAG) tackling some dense ivy on the Tesco’s footpath. (Photo Stewart Palmer)