Improvements could be made at West Bay as early as winter.

Plans for a welcome hub area between the George pub, harbour and seafood kiosks went out for consultation in July and received a large response, with comments coming from West Bay residents, visitors, and local businesses.

The hub, proposed by Dorset Coast Forum as part of its Coastal Connections project, aims to be a central, attractive, user-friendly area for everyone to enjoy.

The project forms part of a bid to the Coastal Communities Fund and will receive £133,000 towards its costs. The remainder of the funding, around £16,000, is being provided by Dorset County Council.

The forum is working with artist Michael Pinsky on the welcome hub, who says he is keen to make sure there is space for everyone and that surrounding businesses and open spaces are connected through this central space.

The proposal for the central hub area is a stone bench concept which has been designed to provide an open space in the centre to allow for uninterrupted views across the harbour and river. The bench also provides a backdrop to showcase the many motorbikes which regularly gather in West Bay whilst providing a space for other visitors and residents to sit and eat away from traffic and protected from the wind.

Smaller benches extended from planting pods could be provided around a larger bench area.

Comments made during the consultation have been collected for the project team, which will liaise with West Dorset District Council, Bridport Town Council and Dorset County Council Highways team to incorporate feedback and further develop the concept and help shape the final design.

Construction is planned for this winter, with an aim to complete the project by summer 2019.

Other planned projects include:

  • Coastal defence works to protect East Beach, West Beach and the Parkdean site from potential flood risks and make these sites more resilient to storm damage

  • A proposed boardwalk to improve access from East Beach car park to the crest of East Beach’s shingle bank

  • To enhance the traffic-free route between West Bay and Bridport and create a more attractive welcome for cyclists and walkers arriving in West Bay.

International artist Mr Pinsky was appointed in November 2017 to shape the improvements for the West Bay welcome hub. To ensure all projects at West Bay work well together, he also working on East Beach access, the West Bay cycle access and enhancements to West Beach promenade.