On Saturday 25 November a team of ‘guerrilla gardeners’ were out and about behind Tesco’s tidying up a much used lane popular with pedestrians and cyclists.
The footpath between Sawmills Lane and Tesco’s is very narrow, overgrown with vegetation, hemmed in by chicken wire and potentially dangerous after dark.
David Durose of the Dorchester Transport Action Group (DTAG) explained, “This path is well used by both pedestrians and cyclists yet nobody seems to accept responsibility for its maintenance”.
So last Saturday, four members of DTAG took matters, and vegetation, literally into their own hands and cleared the path.
At the same time users were asked to sign a petition to make long term improvements to the path so that it is more secure and wide enough for both walkers and cyclists.
According to Stewart Palmer (Chair of DTAG) “If the town is serious about encouraging walking and cycling instead of using cars, we have to have good quality safe routes for walkers and cyclists. So come on local businesses, Network Rail, Duchy of Cornwall and Councils, let’s have a plan to make a small but much needed improvement”.
Stewart Palmer (Chair of DTAG) and Robin Potter (Dorchester Councillor, DTAG) clearing vegetation from the TESCO’s pathway near Sawmills Lane. (Photo Giles Watts).
David Durose (DTAG) tackling some dense ivy on the Tesco’s footpath. (Photo Stewart Palmer)
Giles Watts (Secretary of DTAG) and Robin Potter (Dorchester Town Councillor, DTAG) clearing vegetation from the TESCO’s pathway near Sawmills Lane. (Photo Stewart Palmer)