A DORCHESTER resident is calling for better recreational access to Maiden Castle before someone is hurt.

Dave Green, who lives on Maiden Castle Road, says his road is the only access route for walkers, joggers and cyclists from Dorchester to access the historic castle and surrounding countryside.

But they are having to share the narrow route with an increasing number of vehicles, making the journey out of town a perilous trip.

Mr Green, 65, said that the problems the congestion was creating ‘could no longer be ignored’.

He said: “It is making the road a very dangerous place for walkers, joggers and cyclists.

“Since the construction of the A35 Dorchester bypass, Maiden Castle Road has provided the only recreational access into the countryside from west Dorchester.

“Although never suited for pedestrian use by virtue of narrow and poorly maintained verges, nowadays the huge increase in vehicular traffic resulting from the popularity of Maiden Castle as a historical site and recreation area has exacerbated the dangers.”

Mr Green said that the growing population of Dorchester meant pressure on the route was increasing. He said: “As more housing is provided in West Dorchester, mostly from the Poundbury development, the demand for recreational access towards Maiden Castle is set to increase.

“The present levels of traffic along the Maiden Castle Road already pose a significant danger to pedestrians and cyclists which can no longer be ignored.

“Only two solutions are possible. Either the road itself must be closed to vehicles and an alternative vehicular access to Maiden Castle found or a new recreational trail must be provided.”

Mr Green added: “The motorised traffic is not a problem on its own, it’s just the mix of that with walkers and cyclists, somebody is going to get hurt.”

Dorset County Council project engineer Andrew Bradley said: “There is no current plan to look at such a trailway.

“However, we will be revisiting our county-wide cycle network over the summer and this is something we would consider as part of that.

“Developing trailways is a lengthy process and would require full co-operation of the adjacent landowners and other stakeholders as well as the funds to build it.”