People are set to turn out in force to a public meeting discussing changes to waiting restrictions in the town after uproar from businesses and traders.
Various changes to waiting restrictions were proposed by Dorset County Council’s Highways Department back in July in a bid to improve parking, traffic flow and general congestion both in and around Lyme Regis.
Proposals included the introduction of a ‘no loading or unloading’ restriction at any time on both sides of Cobb Road, including its southern terminus and centre island. But businesses blasted the suggestion at a Lyme Regis Town Council planning and highways meeting, arguing they had not been consulted beforehand which should have been ‘common courtesy’.
Businesses also feared trade would be hit in the town because the waiting restriction would prevent deliveries to various shops and restaurants along Cobb Road.
Now, a public meeting will be held at the Power Boat Club in the town from 6pm on Monday which has been organised by the Lyme Regis Business Group and Traders’ Association.
The Lyme Regis Business Group said it is hoped the consultation can help ‘identify practical solutions’ to the benefit of everyone concerned – and that the consultation process ‘applies equally to ongoing discussions taking place over the fate of the Lyme Regis Tourist Information Centre’.
Business group chairman Tony Colston told The News: “The meeting at the Power Boat Club is a chance for everyone interested in the proposed changes to Cobb Road to have their say.”
The public meeting will include representatives from the Highways Department at Dorset County Council together with Lyme Regis town councillors.
Tony added: “In our view, this is a meeting that should have taken place much earlier on in the process.
“What we’re aiming to do is find out what discussions DCC and the town council have had since the last council meeting and what their new proposals are.”
He said that it is hoped a revised recommendation on the waiting restrictions can be put together as an outcome of the meeting.
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