Dorset Rights of Way Improvement Plan
2026-2036 consultation
Loders Transport Group's guidance
The consultation has seven sections. Below, each heading matches a section of the online form, with our comments underneath. Please answer in your own words, duplicate copy and paste answers risk not being considered.
SECTION 1 — Who you are
This just asks about you.
SECTION 2 — Your comments on the proposed vision
Strongly agree
We strongly support this vision, especially connecting communities and active travel. To be credible it must deliver specific routes such as a safe route between Loders and Bradpole following the former railway line.
SECTION 3 — Comment on proposed policies
The form allows you to comment on all ten policies:
- Policy 1 Maintaining/Improving existing network
Agree
We support ongoing maintenance, but the priority for this area is delivering the missing safe route between Loders and Bradpole, not just maintaining what already exists.
- Policy 2 Raise Awareness
Agree
Awareness only helps once safe routes exist. Between Loders and Bradpole there is currently no safe alternative to the dangerous road, so there is nothing safe yet to promote.
- Policy 3 Making network more accessible
Strongly agree
A safe route following the former railway would let pushchairs, mobility scooters, wheelchair users and nervous cyclists travel between Loders and Bradpole for the first time without using the dangerous road.
- Policy 4 Empowering Communities
Strongly agree
Loders Transport Group is exactly this kind of community-led group, campaigning for a safe route between Loders and Bradpole. We ask the Council to support this project.
- Policy 5 Building the Dorset economy
Agree
A safe route connects Loders and Bradpole to Bridport's shops, cafes, jobs and transport, and links visitors to the coast (using the existing traffic-free route) and countryside - supporting the wider local economy.
- Policy 6 Countryside Code / landowners
Agree
We support this policy and are keen to work collaboratively with landowners to explore a safe route between Loders and Bradpole.
- Policy 7 Housing development and local plan
Agree
Any development near Loders or Bradpole should be required to connect to, and help fund, a safe non-road route between the two villages using the former railway to facilitate low carbon travel.
- Policy 8 Health and wellbeing
Strongly agree
A safe Loders to Bradpole route would let more people walk, wheel or cycle for everyday journeys and improve physical & mental health, avoid social isolation and improve air quality for residents in the local community.
- Policy 9 Sustainable transport and active travel
Strongly agree
An alternative to the dangerous Loders to Bradpole road, creating a safe route on 1km of former railway, would encourage active travel, link Bridport with surrounding villages, and provide an environmentally friendly alternative to driving a car.
- Policy 10 Definitive map duties
Agree
An accurate, up-to-date map is welcome, but should not delay delivering a safe, direct route between Loders and Bradpole using the former railway.
SECTION 4 — Prioritise three policies
The consultation asks you to choose and rank your three most important priorities. We suggest:
1st: Policy 9 — Maximise our PROW for Sustainable transport linking communities & active travel.
2nd: Policy 8 — Maximise the PROW network’s contribution to health and wellbeing.
3rd: Policy 3 — Making our network more accessible.
SECTION 5 — Your experience of the rights of way network
This is where your own story matters most. If you've ever felt unsafe on the Loders to Bradpole road, or avoided walking, using a wheelchair, mobility scooter or cycling because of the road, this is the place to say so in your own words. First-hand experience like this is often the most important part of a response.
SECTION 6 — Final comments
What barriers do you face? Tick all that apply. For our campaign for a safe non-road route we will tick "Safety concerns" and "Lack of local routes” - the road is dangerous, and there’s no alternative. Also tick “accessibility barriers” if this applies to you. For "Other, please specify" you could add comment about the road between Loders and Bradpole having no safe off-road alternative for pushchairs, mobility scooters, wheelchair users or cyclists. A 1km route following the former railway could fix this.
Comments section about the Dorset Rights of Way Improvement Plan
Please support the 1km former-railway route between Loders and Bradpole as a named scheme in the final plan. The existing road route is dangerous for walking, wheelchairs, mobility scooters and cycling.
SECTION 7 — About you (optional)
Optional demographic questions.
Loders Transport Group thanks you for taking the time to respond to this important opportunity to improve local rights of way.