News in Dorchester

The A35 between Bridport and Dorchester is partially blocked due to a traffic accident near the petrol station in Winterbourne Abbas.

Traffic is slow and motorists are facing delays.

The town council share of council tax in Dorchester in the year ahead will be limited to an increase of 0.8 per cent.

Attempts to persuade the Lib Dem council to keep the increase to zero, or to cut the tax, were politely listened to – but ignored.

Tens of thousands of pounds are being spent chasing builders and developers in Dorset who fail to stick to the planning rules.

The Dorset Council 12-strong enforcement team is said to be under so much pressure that it is struggling to cope with the workload – made temporarily worse by currently switching to a new computer system. It also has around 20 per cent of the team on long-term sick leave, or unavailable for front line work for other reasons and has been forced to buy in agency workers to help keep up.

Minister for Media and Data John Whittingdale has praised Nub News for showing there is still a demand for community-focussed local journalism.

The Maldon MP's endorsement follows the expansion of Nub News into 62 towns across the UK in recent months, including the launch of Dorchester Nub News this month.

Plans for nine luxury homes on a former council depot site at Redbridge Lane, Crossways have been refused planning permission.

Dorset Council has decided the one hectare site would not be sustainable as it lies outside of the defined development area which would mean residents having to rely on cars for all their needs.

Free counselling sessions for key workers across Dorset have been relaunched to offer support during the latest lockdown.

As a response to the coronavirus pandemic, The Dorchester Trust for Counselling and Psychotherapy is offering six free counselling sessions to key workers, as well as offering a 50-minute listening service for anyone who may be struggling at this difficult time.

Police are appealing for information following a serious crash near Dorchester yesterday.

Dorset Police received a report just after 9am on Sunday, January 24 of a single car crash on the westbound carriageway of the A35 Puddletown bypass near to the Northbrook junction.

The A35 between Dorchester and Bere Regis has been closed due to a serious accident and flooding.

The closure is in place between the Stinsford roundabout and the Shell roundabout for safety purposes.

A message of thanks has been issued to the Dorset team working tirelessly to vaccinate the most vulnerable.

The NHS in Dorset is working incredibly hard to deliver the Covid-19 vaccine to the most vulnerable local people, at the same time as providing care to all those who need it and whilst coping with the rising number of Covid-19 cases and winter pressures.

Children and staff at The Prince of Wales School in Dorchester dressed in yellow for the first ever 'United Colours of POW' event on Friday.

It's set to be a weekly event to unite the school when they can't all be together.