Traffic, access and pedestrian safety
Vehicular access to the proposed development would be provided from Turnpike Road. The access is being designed and assessed by specialist highways consultants, with road safety an important consideration in the development of the proposals.
We recognise that traffic, highway capacity and road safety are important concerns within Motcombe. These issues have already been raised through our early engagement with local representatives and the community, particularly in relation to existing traffic volumes, vehicle speeds and the constrained nature of some village roads.
Any future planning application will therefore be supported by detailed transport and highways evidence to demonstrate that the development can be safely accessed and that its potential impacts on the surrounding highway network have been properly assessed. The findings of this work, together with feedback received through the consultation process, will help inform the development of the final proposals.
A new footpath and drop-off and pick-up
An important element of the proposals is the provision of a new pedestrian connection towards Motcombe Primary School.
A new footpath is proposed along the northern section of Turnpike Road, addressing the existing gap in the footway and helping to provide a safer and more convenient pedestrian connection between the proposed development, the school and the wider village.
Initial work undertaken by the project’s highways consultants indicates that it may be possible to provide the footpath within the existing public highway, without requiring third-party land. The current assumption is that the footpath could be approximately two metres wide, although its precise design and dimensions will be subject to further detailed highways assessment.
School parking
The proposals also include a new car park which would be available for public use and could provide an alternative location for parents dropping off and collecting children from Motcombe Primary School.
The provision of the car park, together with the proposed new pedestrian connection, has the potential to improve access to the school and help reduce some of the parking pressures currently experienced along Turnpike Road.
The detailed relationship between the proposed car park, existing on-street parking and the operation of Turnpike Road will continue to be considered as the highways proposals are developed. The proposals do not currently assume that all existing roadside parking would be removed, and the final arrangements will be informed by further highways work and discussions with the school and other relevant stakeholders.
Looking beyond the site
Our highways work will not consider the development in isolation. We recognise concerns about existing traffic through Motcombe, including vehicles using the village as an alternative route for journeys around Shaftesbury and towards Mere. Wider walking, cycling and sustainable-transport considerations will also form part of the continuing work.
What happens next?
Following consultation, we will review all the feedback received alongside the continuing technical work. Where appropriate, the emerging masterplan will then be amended before the proposals progress towards a planning application.