Pedestrian access along East Street, Bridport, reopened after complaints people "risking their lives" on closed pavement

Businesses had raised concerns about public safety and lack of communication over the 53-week closure in order for restoration work to the Literary and Scientific Institute (LSI) on East Street.

The pavement had been shut between Chocolatiers Café and the Pickled Ginger restaurant, with signs instructing pedestrians to cross the road. But many people are instead walking along the road next to oncoming traffic.

Tracy Lane from Bridport Mobility has witnessed a few near misses between pedestrians and vehicles and believed “it is only a matter of time before someone gets seriously injured”.

She said: “If we get through this without anyone being injured, it will be a miracle.

“A lot of people get as far as the closure, take one look at it, and don’t bother trying to go any further.

“Something needs to be done because something bad is going to happen and it is only a matter of time before someone gets seriously injured as people are risking their lives.”

Dorset County Council has now reintroduced a footpath, following a site meeting yesterday.

A spokesman said: “We have reviewed the working practices following a site meeting and will now be able to accommodate a temporary protected footway on the north side of the carriageway following removal of the skip on site.

"There will be some temporary footway closures for skip delivery but we have asked for this to be done during quiet times."

Businesses claim to have experienced a loss in trade since the pavement was closed last week - and are upset over “zero communication” from the Bridport Area Development Trust, which is overseeing the development, and Dorset County Council.

Mike Reid, owner of the Green Yard Café on Barrack Street, said: “We are still open for business but it’s making it really hard for us.

“We had no notification from the council whatsoever about this happening.

“I was aware that there would be problems, but there has been absolutely no planning.

“I’m just disgusted by it all and there has been zero communication.”

Richard Smith, president of Bridport Business Chamber, said that the LSI restoration will be “immense” for the town and offered to speak to the development trust on behalf of firms.

He said: “It is clear that something needs to be done with the building, and everyone has been aware of the project as preparation and fundraising has been underway for a considerable length of time.

“If businesses on East Street want to contact us, we are more than happy to talk to the LSI project on their behalf to see if there is anything that can be done to improve the situation. We also have to remember that the long term benefits of seeing this building in full use will be immense for the town.”