LAST November a team of 'guerrilla gardeners' from Dorchester Transport Action Group (DTAG) were out and about behind the Tesco store tidying up a much used lane popular with pedestrians and cyclist. 

The footpath between Sawmills Lane and Tesco is very narrow and had become overgrown with vegetation, hemmed in by chicken wire and potentially dangerous after dark. 

Since then DTAG has continued to try and engage with Network Rail and Tesco about the path but says it has had no response or acceptance of responsibility from either for keeping the pathway clear.

Stewart Palmer, DTAG Chair explained, "This path has always been well used by both pedestrians and cyclists yet nobody seems to accept responsibility for its maintenance and despite us voluntarily clearly the path last November and again contacting Network Rail and Tesco they have done nothing and the path is again overgrown."

So once more the guerrilla gardeners are getting out their shears and cutters and will be out clearing the path on Saturday, 8 June from 10am.

DTAG was set up in early 2022 with the purpose of finding solutions to near term transport problems and investigate options for moving Dorchester towards a low-carbon transport system. 

DTAG is part of a network of transport action groups (TAGs) which now cover most of the Dorset Council area.

All the TAGs are supported by Dorset Council and DTAG is also supported by Dorchester Town Council. DTAG now has around 45 active members including local people, town councillors and councillors from surrounding parishes.

DTAG's statement concluded by saying: "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."