Category: Environment

Dogs in Public Places

Dorset residents, visitors and businesses are being invited to share their views on the rules for dogs in public spaces, including beaches and green spaces.

Dorset Council has launched a consultation on a proposed Dog-related Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO). A PSPO is a legal tool councils can use to help keep public places safe and enjoyable for everyone by setting clear rules on things like dog fouling, where dogs can go, and when they need to be on a lead. The current dog PSPO has been in place since January 2024 and is due to expire at the end of this year. The new order would come into force on 1 January 2027 and remain in place for three years. The consultation gives people the chance to comment on: Where dogs should or should not be allowed Seasonal or time‑limited restrictions, including on beaches Lead length and when dogs should be kept on a lead.

The aim is to balance responsible dog walking with protecting places used by children, families and people taking part in activities such as sports. Dog fouling is not only unpleasant but can also pose health risks.

Cllr Matt Bell, Dorset Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health, Prevention & Communities said:

Most dog owners in Dorset are responsible and take pride in looking after the places they enjoy. This consultation is about making sure our shared spaces work well for everyone, dog owners, families, residents and visitors.

“We want to hear from as many people as possible so we can get the balance right and put fair, clear rules in place that protect public health while still supporting responsible dog walking.”

The consultation is open until 7 August and is available online at https://consultation.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/c-e/dog-related-pspo

Paper copies will also be available in Dorset libraries or on request by calling 01305 221000 The final recommendations will be considered by Dorset Council’s Place and Resources Overview Committee and Cabinet later this year.

#BringAPicnicNotABBQ

If British Summer Time and warmer days means you will be visiting one of Dorset & Wiltshire’s local heathlands or outdoors spaces to enjoy the wildlife and wilderness, please take a picnic.

Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS) are encouraging residents and visitors to take a picnic and not BBQ. Warmer and breezy weather increases the risk of accidental or deliberate fires in our open spaces. A wildfire can move at speeds faster than an Olympic sprinter, so we are asking people who are out and about to follow some simple steps:

  • If you are enjoying our open spaces when a fire occurs, get to a safe place and call 999 with as much information as possible.
  • Consider downloading and using What3Words to identify your exact location.
  • You can also help by reporting any antisocial behaviour on the heath to the Police on 101. 

During 2021, DWFRS dealt with 494 fires in the open. In 2022, we have already seen large wildfires in Dorset & Wiltshire and firefighters across the UK have dealt with more wildfires between January and May than in the whole of 2021 (243 compared to 237 in 2021).

Area Manager Marc House, Head of Prevention at DWFRS said: “As we move into the summer, with longer daylight hours and warmer weather, understandably more people want to get out and use Dorset & Wiltshire’s natural environments. There is a trend that the number of deliberately set fires and fires caused by BBQs and bonfires in these open spaces, increases.

He added: “I cannot stress enough how important it is to take extra care when enjoying our beautiful open and forestry areas. If you are a smoker, please extinguish them fully before disposing of them responsibly – never ever just throw them away lit, similar to throwing them out from car windows – the result could be 50 or 100 firefighters tackling the subsequent blaze.”

Anyone caught starting a fire on a heath will be prosecuted whether it is a case of deliberate arson or neglect, for example an unauthorised camp fire or a disposable BBQ that gets out of control.  Wildfires cost lives not only to endangered plants and animals but also put people and houses in danger. 

We need your help to protect our countryside. Please #BringAPicnicNotABBQ

Safety first for summer cooking

Storm Eunice – Friday 18 February 2022

DCC considers this information important:

https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/emergencies-severe-weather/disrupted-services

As you may have seen, Storm Eunice is expected to hit Dorset this evening and into tomorrow.

The council has made the difficult decision to advise schools to close and has suspended many services tomorrow/on Friday as 100mph winds are predicted to hit the county from Thursday night into Friday morning and through to the evening.

To help keep yourselves and others safe, please consider the following:

  • Secure loose items in your garden, such as trampolines and furniture covers.
  • Consider whether you need to travel. If you don’t, it may be best to stay at home.
  • If you do have to travel, take extra care. Drive to the conditions and watch out for debris on the roads.
  • Spotted a tree down or another obstruction on the highway? Let us know using online.
  • For the latest weather forecast, please see the Met Office.
  • For Dorset-specific updates, please follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

PUBLIC FOOTPATH E18/13 – 6+ Month Closure

Be advised that a temporary traffic order, which Dorset Council is introducing, will close Footpath E18/13 for at least six months.

The diversion is along Rowland Road up to Shaston Road. It therefore exposes walkers to a 100m stretch of a busy public highway.

UPDATE – P225-21-2

The route has been amended to avoid the busy road:

P225-21-2-1

PUBLIC-NOTICE-E1813-StoupaineDownload

If you would like further information:

  • About the work being undertaken please contact Domonic Teversham Building & Groundworks on 01258 480800;
  • For Rights of Way enquiries please contact the Senior Ranger on 01258 456970;
  • Concerning this order please call Dorset Highways’ Traffic Team on 01305 221020;

North Dorset bin collection changes in June

https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/bins-recycling-and-litter/north-dorset-bin-collection-changes-june-2021.aspx

Key Messages

  • Some households in and around North Dorset will have their bin collections changed in early June
  • Most won’t notice a difference, but we will write to you in advance if your bin collection days are changing
  • Your bins may be emptied by more than one crew at different times on your collection day
  • Larger vehicles have separate compartments for different waste types, so rest assured your rubbish/recycling/food waste is still being kept separated
  • Our crews often use a “service bin” to gather up food waste or glass – this looks like a regular wheelie bin
  • Garden waste and business collections are mostly unaffected by these changes, but we will write to customers separately if their arrangements are changing
  • If you suspect one/some of your bins have been missed, please leave them out and wait until 4pm before reporting to us.

If this information doesn’t cover your concerns or you need help responding, please e-mail wasteteam@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk and they’ll be very happy to help.