DORSET County Council has moved to address concerns raised at a public meeting about the Dorchester Transport and Environment Plan (DTEP).

Residents packed out the Corn Exchange last week and spoke out forcefully against the council’s project, which aims to tackle traffic and reduce congestion in the county town.

The council said it will consider all the points raised at the meeting, which included claims that the traffic and pollution issues are simply being moved from the current problem areas of High West Street and High East Street to other areas of the town.

The matters will be considered alongside other feedback from the consultation exercise that is being carried out in January before a summary report is compiled and sent to the council’s cabinet member for environment Hilary Cox, pictured.

The cabinet will then make a decision as to whether the scheme should progress any further.

The council claimed it has already responded to concerns raised by a number of people about the consultation process on the scheme through a number of measures.

A further two-week exhibition will be held at County Hall from December 9 and the deadline for comments has been extended to December 20.

Over 8,000 households across Dorchester will also be invited directly to comment on the scheme via a leaflet mail drop over the next two weeks.

Chief engineer Tim Norman said the scheme had changed from an original plan put forward in 2003 and urged local residents to view the plans and give their feedback on the latest proposals.

He said:”The original scheme was unaffordable whereas the phased approach of the current proposed scheme means the new traffic network could be thoroughly tested before a decision is made to make it permanent or remove it. “We would like to reassure everyone who has already commented or intends to comment on the DTEP scheme that we will carefully consider any views and suggestions made.

“I would urge as many people as possible to study the plans and give us their views.”

Councillor Cox added: “The residents and businesses of Dorchester have a window of opportunity to achieve the objectives of the DTEP scheme. “If lost, it would take a long time before funding is likely to be available again for a comprehensive scheme which would protect and enhance our county town.”